2005 Duke Blue Devils Handicapping Review

 

By Tom Wilkinson

 

While at the first glance of someone from the general sports betting public Duke’s 8-27 straight up record makes for a red flag, sharper members of the sports handicapping community have taken advantage of the sports betting odds value that arises from this public perception. Despite being, undeniably, one of the worst programs in college football Duke has covered over sixty-percent of the games against the sports betting line the past three seasons. As they are still lightly regarded and coming off a 2-9 straight up season in 2004, the Blue Devils may continue to offer value to those sharp individuals who dig deeper in their sports handicapping efforts.

Duke started off 2004 in the worst possible way as they lost 12-27 at Navy as 7.5-point dogs, which served to only drive up Duke’s bargain value as few sports bettors want a traditional doormat that was just dominated by Navy on their list of football picks. This loss at navy ended up being a tremendous set up for those in sports handicapping who think “outside the box” and go against the masses of asses.

Duke’s next game after the Navy loss was at Connecticut, where they lost 20-22 as 15-point dogs. Next game a trip to up and coming Virginia Tech, who was installed as 29.5-point home chalks. While Tech would end up becoming a powerful team that was not yet the case in early 2004 and they were clearly overpriced. Duke got the money in a 17-41 loss.

Next came Duke’s home opener against Maryland, where they were bombed 55-21 as 16.5-point dogs. This ugly loss served to further Duke’s long term bargain value as now online sports betting blogs were featuring posts about Duke being a featured “go against” team on the list of football picks for many sports bettors.

Duke proceeded to rip off five consecutive wins against the odds after their home opener debacle as the mindset of the general sports betting public, and even a few respected members of the sports handicapping fraternity, was that Duke was simply too horrible a team to risk money on, despite the generous sports betting odds that were offered to any takers.

Despite their 2-9 straight up record, Duke finished 7-3 against the sports betting line with covers over such “name brand” powers as Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Florida State, and Clemson.