The Alabama Crimson Tide is a 33-point favorite over the Duke Blue Devils, according to the offshore betting sites. The Tide remains a force to be reckoned with, regardless of their 16-44 meltdown against Clemson in the National Game. Bama entered that game as five-point chalk, per the best online sportsbooks. Eight starters on offense, and as many on defense, are returning from the 14-1 2018 season. Including the Samoan Bulldozer Tua Tagovailoa as No. 1 QBzer any on defense, are returning from the sports betting sites. . The Polynesian Polyphemus started all 15 games and threw for 3966 yards and 43 TDs. And sent Jalen Hurts crying all the way to Oklahoma. Duke, on the other hand, finished last season 8-5 (3-5 in ACC play), as well as 7-6 ATS. The Blue Devils upset the Temple Owls 56-27 as 3.5-point dogs in the Independence Bowl.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Chick-fil-A Kickoff Betting Info
- Date: August 31
- Time: 2:30 pm CT
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Sportsbook Odds by MyBookie.ag
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | +35 (-110) | 58½ (-110) | +6000 |  |
| Alabama | -35 (-110) | 58½ (-110) | -15000 | |
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Betting Duke Blue Devils
The 2018 Devils had the kind of defense that Alabama could make look a lot worse than it actually was. And it really wasn’t all that good to begin with. However, the 2019 defense could be the best Duke has had in the entirety of David Cutcliffe tenure. “I’m more excited about this defense than any defense we’ve had in the 12 seasons,” Coach Cutcliffe said. Defensive ends Drew Jordan and Victor Dimukeje, and tackles Trevon McSwain and Derrick Tangelo are among the returning defensive starters. As are defensive backs Michael Carter, Leonard Johnson, Marquis Waters and Dylan Singleton. They will be joined in the starting lineup by erstwhile backups such as linebacker Koby Quansah.
“We have pretty much our whole defense coming back,” Quansah said. “We’re excited, confident in our team. Main thing is keeping our foot on the gas the second half, the entire game. Our guys are excited about the season. We know we’re a great defense, can stop people when we want to. We just have to make sure it’s consistent.” He must feel like a little boy on Kwanza morning. Even if offshore betting sites aren’t as high on Duke’s defense as he and Cutcliffe are.
Betting Alabama Crimson Tide
People love to make wood out of a felled tree, as our Latino friends are wont to say. For example, Joseph Goodman of AL.com, who claims “Alabama football needs a cold, hard slap in the face.” Actually, it’s pseudo journalists like you who need a slap like the one ‘Dr. D.’ David Schultz administered John Stoessel. Every time a purportedly unbeatable team is beaten, pundits come out of the woodworks proclaiming the end of an era. They do this even though they know they are full of shit. Why? Because, if by happenstance they were proven right, it would make them appear more intelligent than they really are. And then they could rejoice in saying to the rest of us “I told you so!” These people are what they call in wrestling smart marks. The word “smart” being used in an ironical sense, of course. Tide players are “not ready to start this season. Not yet,” writes Goodman. Oh, if only they some five more weeks before the season starts. That’s right, they do. Also, when and if Alabama’s season unravels, it’ll be at the tail end of it, not at the beginning.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Expert Pick
The Tide is easier to figure out when they are favored by smaller spreads which they usually fail to cover. Case in point, they went 0-3 in their last three games as 12, 14.5, and five-point chalk respectively. Of course, Alabama spreads only get that close toward the end of a season. Conversely, Bama went 1-3 ATS last season when favored by 35 or more points. And Duke’s defense could turn out to be as good as advertised. In that case, offshore betting sites may be giving the Crimson Tide more points than they can cover.
