Duke vs Alabama 8/31/19 - NCAA Football Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 08/21/2019 at 10:28 AM ET

On Saturday August 31, the Duke Blue Devils play the Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Georgia in the opening game of the college football regular season for both.

Last season Duke was 8-5 but just 3-5 in ACC play. The program improved over its 7-6 season in 2017 and won the Independence Bowl over Tempe 56-27. Duke must replace its starting quarterback from last season and in all likelihood that will be Quentin Harris. Deon Jackson will give the Blue Devils a solid running game while Chris Taylor will be the top wide receiver target.

The Crimson Tide ended its season 14-1 but the one loss came at the hands of Clemson in the College Football Championship game 44-16. Tua Tagovailoa returns as the starting quarterback and is one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Alabama is either No. 1 or No. 2 in preseason polls as the season approaches. The big question mark will be the number of starters Alabama must replace on the defense, but that should take place seamlessly and without much of a problem.
Quentin Harris is the top returning quarterback for Duke. Harris threw for 437 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception in 2018 as a backup. The top returning running back is Deon Jackson who rushed for 847 yards and seven touchdowns to lead Duke in 2018. Chris Taylor is the top returning wide receiver from last season. Taylor caught 31 passes for 419 yards and three touchdowns.

Tua Tagovailoa returns at the starting quarterback for the Tide. Last season Tua threw for 3,966 yards 43 touchdowns and six interceptions, while rushing for 190 yards and five touchdowns. Najee Harris will be the top returning running back. In 2018, Harris rushed for 783 yards and four touchdowns. Jerry Jeudy leads all returning wide receivers from last season with 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns.

There is no question what team wins this game, but the double-digit spread is big enough to make this a tough pick. Alabama has its top skill position players back with Tua Tagovailoa, Najee Harris and Jerry Jeudy. Duke is replacing its quarterback and will face an aggressive, blitzing defense from the Crimson Tide. Alabama is 1-4 ATS in its last 5, but will pour it on early and often. Lay the double-digits and take the Tide. Final Score Prediction, Alabama Crimson Tide wins and covers ATS 48-10.

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