Northwestern Wildcats vs Duke Blue Devils Picks and Predictions September 6th 2024

Both Duke and Northwestern opened their seasons with wins, but Friday night’s non-conference matchup in Evanston, Illinois, brings offensive questions for both teams. Duke (1-0) is riding high after a 26-3 victory over Elon, while Northwestern (1-0) barely edged out Miami (Ohio) with a 13-6 win. To find success this week, both teams must address their offensive struggles head-on.

Offensive Challenges for Both Teams

Despite securing wins in their season openers, both teams faced significant offensive struggles. Northwestern’s offense managed only 328 total yards against Miami (Ohio). While quarterback Mike Wright had a decent outing, the Wildcats will need more from their offense to handle Duke’s defense, which recorded an impressive eight sacks in their opener against Elon.

“That group knows there’s a lot of continued growth necessary,” said Northwestern head coach David Braun, addressing his team’s offensive shortcomings.

On the other side, Duke didn’t rely on explosive plays in their win over Elon. Instead, they controlled the game with a strong defensive effort and timely scores. Diaz is keenly aware of Northwestern’s defensive strategy, which is designed to prevent big plays.

“Their defense is built to prevent the explosive plays,” Diaz noted. “They do a great job of keeping the score down.”

Quarterbacks to Watch

The quarterback battle will be a key storyline in this game. Duke’s Maalik Murphy, a Texas transfer, made a solid debut for the Blue Devils. His powerful arm adds a new layer to Duke’s offense, and the team is likely to test Northwestern’s defense with deep throws.

For Northwestern, Mike Wright will face a fierce Duke pass rush. His ability to make quick decisions and avoid sacks will be crucial to the Wildcats’ success, especially given the aggressive nature of Duke’s defense.

Defensive Edge for Duke

Duke’s defense, which dominated against Elon, will once again be key in Friday’s game. The Blue Devils recorded eight sacks in their opener, and they’ll be looking to disrupt Northwestern’s offensive flow early and often. Diaz, who has plenty of Big Ten experience from his time as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, has stressed the importance of defensive discipline. Duke’s aggressive defense will challenge a Northwestern offense still trying to find its identity.

Recent History Favors Duke

Historically, Duke has had the upper hand in this matchup, leading the series 13-10 and winning the last five meetings. Last season, Duke dominated Northwestern with a 38-14 win, thanks to standout performances from quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jordan Waters. However, both of those players have since transferred. This time, it’s Duke that hits the road with a new coach, while Northwestern defends its home turf under Braun.

The outcome of this game will likely be determined by which team can execute better on offense while leaning on their defense to limit mistakes. With both teams struggling offensively, the line of scrimmage battle will be pivotal.