Clemson vs. Duke CFB Odds: Predictions for Monday action

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College Football’s Week 1 is officially here and with it comes a Monday evening contest between No. 9 Clemson and Duke.

Clemson is a 12.5-point favorite against Duke in its season-opener on Sept. 4.

Clemson vs. Duke  odds, picks, best bets and CFB promotions

Clemson, picked by many to win the ACC this season, opens the year as a 12.5-point favorite against conference opponent Duke on Sunday. The over/under for this game is set at 55.5 points, and the Tigers are -480 to win outright.

This Clemson team might not have as much attention compared to years past, but it will be yet another solid group under head coach Dabo Swinney. 16 starters return following an 11-3 campaign in 2022.

The Tigers’ strong suit will be defense this year.

It’s the second year for defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin. In Goodwin’s first year leading the unit, Clemson held opponents to 20.9 points per game.

Goodwin will have a stellar defensive line to work with in 2023, heading what will be one of the country’s best defenses.

Questions remain offensively, though, with quarterback Cade Klubnik. He looked sharp last season and eventually took over the starting gig, but fans have yet to see a full season out of him.

He’ll be up against a Duke defense that isn’t crazy by any means, but certainly shouldn’t be overlooked with the Blue Devils returning eight starters on that side of the ball.

Duke allowed 22.1 points per game last season -- the first time holding opponents below 25 points per game since 2017.

But if Duke wants to flirt with an upset, it will come down to the arm (and legs) of quarterback Riley Leonard.

Last season -- his first as Duke’s starter -- Leonard threw for 2,967 yards and 20 touchdowns. He ran for 699 yards and 13 touchdowns as well.

Clemson has won by more than 20 points in each of the last five meetings between these teams. But the last Clemson-Duke game came in 2018, and the Blue Devils appeared to be a much more competent football program last year with a 9-4 record.

It’s tough to forecast Duke pulling off an upset in Week 1, but this Clemson team is far from perfect. We think this one will be closer than the past five meetings.

Pick: Duke +12.5 (-110 or better)

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Adam Hensley is a writer for Catena Media based out of Iowa. Since graduating from the University of Iowa in 2019 with a degree in journalism and sports studies, he worked for a variety of publications including Sports Illustrated, the Associated Press and the USA Today Network. He spends his time watching the NBA and both college and professional football.