Duke vs Texas A&M NCAAF Handicapping
The news from this year’s Chick-fil-A bowl has not been about how the teams to players will match up, but rather how they won’t.
Chick-fil-A BOWL
Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Venue:
City: Atlanta
O/U Odds: 56.5
Spread: -11.5 Texas A&M
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That’s because just one day before No. 21 Texas A&M freshman linebacker Darian Claiborne was suspended by the team after he was arrested on two drug possession counts Sunday, it was reported by the Durham Herald-Sun that No. 22 Duke will be without leading rusher Jala Duncan.
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Duke (10-3) suspended Duncan from school for an undisclosed violation of its academic policy. The sophomore is not eligible to return until the Spring 2015 semester.
Duncan rushed for 562 yards and three touchdowns this season and caught 13 passes for 123 yards and a score, matching his production from last year when he rushed for 553 yards as a freshman.
With Duncan unavailable, Duke will rely on senior Juwan Thompson, redshirt junior Josh Snead and sophomore Shaquille Powell. Snead is second behind Duncan with 547 rushing yards this season. He averages a team-best 6.1 yards per carry.
That may still be enough to get past Texas A&M, which ranks 108th nationally against the run, allowing an average of 221 yards on the ground per game.
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The Aggies (8-4) have allowed 5.31 yards per carry this season and without Claiborne, who is tied for the team lead in tackles (89) and was an critical part of the Aggies’ defense this season, they may struggle mighty to stop Duke’s running attack in its tracks on Tuesday.
That’s a huge blow to a defense that can’t afford to have any missing bodies after the season it had. The Aggies enter the bowl season ranking last in the SEC in total defense (460.3 yards allowed per game) and 13th in scoring defense (30.9).
Still, the Aggies offense will figure heavily into this one, as Johnny Manziel takes his place under center. opposite Duke’s rare two-quarterback tandem of Anthony Boone and Brandon Connette who have combined for 23 passing touchdowns.
The Blue Devils defense has had its ups and downs, like its 45-7 beatdown in the ACC Championship game.
Matt’s Free Prediction
Duke has been one of most remarkable stories of this college football season, winning ten games for the first time in school history, and coupled with the fact that head coach David Cutcliffe has taken Duke to consecutive bowl games, it may be an unprecedented time for the Blue Devils.
However, facing Johnny Football and the Aggies will likely be a little to much.
Texas A&M 42, Duke 31
