Notre Dame vs. Duke football first look: Odds, key matchup, Blue Devils player to watch

Duke had the entire offseason — seven months — to prepare for and deal with it’s monumental season-opening game with Clemson at Wallace Wade Stadium on Sept. 4.

The Blue Devils handled that supremely well, of course, rocking the Tigers, 28-7, for their first win over a team ranked in the top-10 in 34 years.

Four weeks later, Duke’s football team is in the spotlight again.

With College GameDay’s football show broadcasting from Durham for the first time, the No. 17 Blue Devils will play the No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. ABC will broadcast the game nationwide.

Ranked higher than they’ve been since 1994, the Blue Devils aim for their first 5-0 start since they began that season with seven consecutive wins to reach No. 16 in the AP poll.

The key to Duke’s success this season, and really in every game since Mike Elko took over as head coach prior to last season, is quick starts by its offense. When Duke has scored first over the last two seasons, it is 11-0. That’s a big reason why the Blue Devils are 13-4 in Elko’s 17 games as their coach.

Notre Dame (4-1) fell out of the top 10 following a last-second, 17-14 loss to No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday night.

Duke player to watch: Riley Leonard, QB

The Fighting Irish have displayed few weaknesses over the first five games. The team’s strengths are really good, like a No. 1 defensive ranking nationally in completion percentage.

Opposing teams have only completed 47.4% of their throws. The Irish only have seven sacks (92nd nationally) but their coverage has been steady. Pro Football Focus gives Notre Dame an 81.4 score (high quality) in that category.

Duke junior quarterback Riley Leonard has keyed Duke’s strong season both with his rushing and passing. Last Saturday against Connecticut, he had his best passing day in a 41-7 win. Leonard completed 23 of 34 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown.

Though facing an inferior opponent, Duke’s plan was intentional about getting Leonard and the passing attack on point. Against teams like Notre Dame, Duke will have to be able to move the ball through the air to win.

Key matchup: Duke defense vs. Sam Hartman

The Blue Devils have a high level of familiarity with Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, the Charlotte native who played the previous five seasons at Wake Forest. Before transferring to Notre Dame this year, Hartman played two games against Duke as a Demon Deacon.

While he’s thrown six touchdowns against Duke in his career, he came out on a losing end in his most recent game at Wallace Wade Stadium when Duke beat Wake Forest 34-31 last November.

The Blue Devils have proven to be a strong defense against the pass this season. PFF awarded Duke impressive grades in pass coverage (92.6, elite) and pass rush (71.8, high quality).

Duke is No. 4 nationally in passing yards allowed per game at 143.3.

Vegas betting odds

The initial odds posted Sunday showed Notre Dame as favored by anywhere from 4-5.5 points.

Notre Dame at No. 18 Duke game and TV info

Who: Duke Blue Devils (4-0) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-1)

Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday

TV: ABC (WTVD-11 in Triangle)

Stream: Hulu +Live TV, Paramount+, YouTubeTV, Fubu, DirecTV Stream.