Duke at Notre Dame 9/12/20 - College Football Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 09/11/2020 at 9:25 PM ET

The Duke Blue Devils will visit Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday to play the No. 10 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the opening game of the 2020 college football regular season for both. Duke was 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the ACC during 2019. Offensively, eight starters return and will be led at quarterback by Chase Brice who transferred from Clemson. Deon Jackson returns after rushing for 641 yards and six touchdowns last season, but the receiving corps is an unknown as there aren't any tested experienced players there.

On the defense, last season the Duke pass rush was very strong and seven of its top nine tacklers return. Victor Dimukeje returns after leading the Blue Devils in sacks last season with 8.5 and Chris Rumph is back after making 6.5 sacks of his own last season. Duke must replace Koby Quansah at linebacker and that unit could be the weak link of the defense. In the secondary several players were lost to transfers including Dylan Singleton who will start at one safety alongside Marquis Waters.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be led by quarterback Ian Book who last season as a junior was a force accounting for 38 touchdowns while throwing just six interceptions. Over Book’s final 4 games with Notre Dame last season the quarterback threw 14 touchdowns and did not have an interception. Wide receivers Avery Davis and Braden Lenzy return to lead the receiver corps, while Kyren Williams will be the lead running back behind what is considered the best offensive line in the country.

The Notre Dame defense must replace three top pass-rushers from last season and the new group will be led by Ade Ogundeji. The linebackers are led by returning stars Drew White and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah,  both had exceptional seasons in 2019. The defensive secondary lost it's two star safeties and a cornerback but Shawn Crawford is back and transfer Nick McLeod from North Carolina State well add excellent coverage abilities.

Notre Dame is expected to have one of the best overall teams in the nation fueled by its quarterback Ian Book. The Fighting Irish have one of the best if not the best offensive lines in the nation. Notre Dame has covered the number in each of its last five and has won each of its last 18 straight up at home. Duke has failed to cover five of its last six and has lost five of its last six SU. Final Score Prediction, Notre Dame Fighting Irish win and cover ATS 42-14.

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