No. 21 Duke looks to reach 3-0 when it hosts Northwestern on Saturday
Duke's Aeneas Peebles, left, celebrates in front of Lafayette's Dean DeNobile after making a tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Credit: AP/Ben McKeown
Northwestern (1-1) at No. 21 Duke (2-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ACC Network)
Line: Duke by 19 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Duke leads 12-10.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Duke has grabbed national attention after blowing out preseason Atlantic Coast Conference favorite Clemson to open the season and is looking for a second 3-0 start in as many seasons under Mike Elko. Northwestern is looking to snap a four-game losing streak in the series between the Atlantic Coast and Big Ten conference programs.
KEY MATCHUP
Duke's ground game against Northwestern's defensive front. The Blue Devils have been productive on the ground so far, running for 199 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers followed by 261 yards and four touchdowns against Lafayette of the Championship Subdivision ranks. The Wildcats have allowed 226 yards on the ground through two games with an average of 2.9 yards per carry.
Northwestern tight end Thomas Gordon, right, hugs wide receiver A.J. Henning, center, after Henning scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UTEP, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Evanston, Ill. Credit: AP/Erin Hooley
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Northwestern: LB Bryce Gallagher. He's averaging a Big Ten-best 12 tackles per game, tied for seventh in the Bowl Subdivision.
Duke: RB Jordan Waters. He's teamed with Jaquez Moore to provide quality rushing production, rushing for three scores in the first two games.
FACTS & FIGURES
Northwestern tight end Thomas Gordon, right, hugs wide receiver A.J. Henning, center, after Henning scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UTEP, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Evanston, Ill. Credit: AP/Erin Hooley
Duke's four-game winning streak in the series began in 2017, with wins in 2018 and each of the previous two seasons. Northwestern had won three straight meetings before that in 2008, 2015 and 2016. ... Duke QBs Riley Leonard is coming off a 12-for-12 passing performance against Lafayette. ... Northwestern surrendered the first touchdown against UTEP and then scored 38 unanswered points. ... The Wildcats have allowed seven second-half points through two games. ... The Blue Devils have won the turnover battle in 10 of 15 games under Elko, who is 11-4 at Duke. ... Duke's current stint in the AP Top 25 is the Blue Devils' first since spending a week at No. 22 in September 2018.
