Week 2 – Duke at Stanford

Week 2 CFN Fearless Prediction and Breakdown - Duke at Stanford

Duke (1-0) at Stanford (1-0) Sept. 8, 10:30

Here’s The Deal: Duke and Stanford meet on the Farm, with the latter trying to show that the opener was a fluke, and the former determined to prove it wasn’t. The Cardinal was lackluster in its new era sans Andrew Luck, barely escaping lowly San Jose State, 20-17. It was the same Spartans team that got whipped by 54 points in last year’s meeting. The program needs to figure out now if it’s still a bona fide Top 25 team or not, because the thorny portion of the schedule begins a week from now with a visit from USC. The Blue Devils, on the other hand, are coming off one of the biggest wins of the David Cutcliffe era. Despite being besieged by injuries, Duke coasted to an unexpectedly comfortable win over an underrated Florida International team. With a cross-country upset of a Pac-12 power, the Devils can seriously start dreaming of their first bowl game since 1994.

Why Duke Might Win: The Blue Devils’ calling card will continue to be a passing game that hinges on the right arm of senior QB Sean Renfree. The veteran of Cutcliffe’s system has one star on the outside, Conner Vernon, and a budding playmaker in sophomore Jamison Crowder. Stanford begins the season with concerns in its secondary, a reconstructed unit starting three new players. Unlike last September’s meeting, Duke holds an edge behind center, especially as Cardinal QB Josh Nunes gradually adapts to his new role.

Why Stanford Might Win: Nunes was a non-factor in Week 1, and might be again this Saturday. The Cardinal will be content to bludgeon a very weak Duke front seven with the power running of Stepfan Taylor. Stanford features the kind of physical and assertive O-line that’s capable of blowing the Blue Devils a few yards off the ball. With a game under his belt, and an opponent who’ll play to defend the run, Nunes ought to get a shot or two downfield to hook up with WR Ty Montgomery or TE Zach Ertz.

What To Watch Out For: Always eager to set the tempo with an attacking defense, Stanford coordinator Derek Mason appears to developed a new weapon in his arsenal. DB Usua Amanam, a recently converted running back, was revelatory versus San Jose State, using his speed and instincts to collect four stops for loss and two sacks. He’ll be used like a missile again this week to disrupt Renfree’s timing. The Cardinal is also pumped about the return of top LB Shayne Skov, who missed most of 2011 with an ACL tear, and sitting out last week on suspension.

What Will Happen: Forget what happened last weekend. Stanford remains far too physical for a Duke team that has a potent passing attack to go along with very little else. The Cardinal will control the tempo with Taylor, who’ll rumble for 150 yards, needing only occasional connections out of Nunes. The defense will play with more intensity now that Skov is back in the huddle, managing an opposing offense that lacks the balance to consistently beat a quality D.

CFN Prediction: Stanford 35 … Duke 14
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) Stanford -14 O/U: 58
Must Watch Rating (5 – Phineas & Ferb, 1 – Steve Harvey): 2