Duke Blue Devils vs Memphis Tigers Point Spread Picks

Duke was impressive a week ago with a 45-0 win over North Carolina Central. But, Duke's opponent didn't have just something to do with that - it had everything to do with it. Duke went to a Bowl Game last year and started this season with a 45 point win. They must be a decent, improving team, right? Let's not forget that they lost their last five games, allowing 42 points or more in all of them! Memphis closed last season in just the opposite fashion, and this will be their opener. The Tigers went 42 straight games without scoring more than 35 points. The fact is that this team was lucky to find the win column, but came together at the end of last season, and did something special. The Tigers won their last three games, scoring 37 or more points in all of them. They certainly are capable of at the very least making a game of this, as Duke is just 1-7 ATS in their last eight on the road. The Tigers are a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last four, and have the feeling now of what it is like to win. Play on the home dog, and back Memphis.

The last time Duke was a 3+ touchdown favorite over a division 1 team, Boyz II Men were topping the charts. There certainly is just cause and then some, for this line as Memphis is among the worst teams in the nation. They have opened against three teams that are not even pedestrian, one a non-FBS team in Tennessee Martin and they are 0-3. Memphis has won just one game against FBS competition in each of the last three years, and will be hard pressed to duplicate that this year as they likely will not enter the win column. They have played four BCS Conference schools in this same timeframe, and have lost by 31, 28, 42, and 56 points (average of nearly 40 points per game). Duke once wore those shoes, but is off to a 2-1 start. They are showing the ability to score against bad teams, as they averaged 50 points in their two blowout wins. The Tigers are 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 non-conference tilts, and Duke has had it going at home going 5-0 ATS back to last year. Play on Duke.