Clemson vs. Duke Predictions, Odds & Picks – Monday 9/4

Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) throws a pass during the first half of the 2022 Orange Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers at Hard Rock Stadium.
Image Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Who’s up for some Labor Day football? Clemson is set to face Duke on Monday, September 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET while airing on ESPN. Clemson enters this game as 13-point favorites with the total set at 55.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Clemson vs. Duke predictions below.

Clemson vs. Duke Odds

  • Spread: Clemson -13
  • Total: 55.5

Game Info

  • Date: Monday, September 4
  • Time: 8 pm ET
  • Location: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC
  • TV: ESPN

Clemson Betting Trends

  • Clemson are 17-3 SU in their last 20 games.
  • Clemson are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Duke.

Duke Betting Trends

  • Duke are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games.
  • Duke are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.

QB Riley Leonard Leads Duke

The Duke Blue Devils are coming off a surprisingly successful 2022 season, where they posted a 9-4 record under the leadership of head coach Mike Elko. This marked a significant turnaround from their 3-9 record in the previous year. The Blue Devils’ success was largely attributed to the emergence of quarterback Riley Leonard, who threw for 20 touchdowns and ran for 13 more. Leonard’s performance earned him attention in NFL Draft circles, and he is expected to be a key player for Duke this season.

Duke faces a daunting schedule this season, with games against Clemson, Notre Dame, NC State, Florida State, and Louisville. These matchups will test the Blue Devils’ depth and resilience, and their performance in these games will likely determine the trajectory of their season.

Is Clemson Back On Top?

The Clemson Tigers, a perennial powerhouse in college football, are coming off an 11-3 season that saw them clinch yet another ACC title. However, the Tigers’ performance last season was not without its challenges, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. This led to significant changes in the offseason, with the hiring of Garrett Riley as the new offensive coordinator being the most notable.

Riley, who previously served as the offensive coordinator at TCU, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Tigers’ offense. His arrival is particularly significant given the struggles that Clemson faced on offense last season. The team’s offensive woes were largely attributed to inconsistent quarterback play, which prompted head coach Dabo Swinney to make a change in the position. This season, the Tigers will be led by sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik, who showed promise in limited action last year.

Despite the changes on offense, Clemson’s defense remains a formidable unit. The Tigers return eight starters from a defense that allowed just 20.9 points per game last season. The defensive line, led by senior Ruke Orhorhoro, is expected to be a strength for the Tigers.

Clemson vs. Duke Predictions

If Leonard can replicate his form from last season, the Blue Devils could pose a serious challenge to the Tigers. However, Clemson will pose one of the best defenses Leonard and Duke will see this season.

For Clemson, the performance of sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik will be crucial. If he can step up and deliver a strong performance, it could tip the scales in Clemson’s favor.

Overall, the Clemson defense is more than capable of keeping Leonard at bay and preventing the Duke offense from controlling this game. Take the Tigers against the spread.

The Pick: Clemson -13.5 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook