Pinstripe Bowl Pick
Duke
vs.
Indiana
12/26/15
This matchup is usually reserved for the basketball cOurt, but Indiana and Duke take on each other in this year’s Pinstripe Bowl, with neither team having all too impressive seasons. They both may have reached a bowl, but that’s about all you can say about them. The Hoosiers are a small -2 point favorite at 5 Dimes Sportsbook for the Game at Yankee Stadium.
Indiana had an interesting season, starting off undefeated in non-Conference play, but then failing to win its first six Big Ten Games. Still, the Hoosiers prevailed, winning their final two Games to reach six on the year, although with a 2-6 Conference record. They can Scoreon anyone, but also, anyone can Scoreon them. That was seen in their opener against Southern Illinois, a 48-47 win.
Duke’s season was almost the opposite, starting the year 6-1 and aiming for another ACC Coastal crown. However, that didn’t work to plan as the Blue Devils lost a heartbreaker against Miami and that was the start of the downfall, a Four-Game losing streak. They finally got back on the winning side in the final Game of the year, a 27-21 win at Wake Forest. In comparison, Indiana won 31-24 at Wake Forest earlier in the year.
There will undoubtedly be points in this Game, that’s why the over/under is sitting around 67 points. The over is a ridiculous 9-2-1 in Indiana Games this year if that says anything, including in six straight.
Duke’s defense is going to have loads of problems. After starting the season solidly, the Blue Devils fell apart, giving up 43 points to Virginia Tech, 66 to UNC and 42 to Virginia, all on the road. It’ll be hard for them to hold this Indiana offense below 30 points.
The Hoosiers will have a healthy and rested Nate Sudfeld, who has silently put together one of the better seasons in the Big Ten with 29 total touchdowns and just five interceptions. The senior has been great for the Hoosiers and has nine TDs in the last three Games. This is an offense that put 41 points on Michigan (2OT) and 27 on both Ohio State and Iowa, three of the better defenses in the country. Sudfeld has speedsters Simmie Cobbs Jr. (54 receptions) and Ricky Jones (50 recs.) at receiver, but also the Indiana running Game has been a huge help. Even with stud running back Jordan Howard questionable to play, Devine Redding has filled in over the last two Games and put in 274 yards and a touchdown. If Howard plays in this Game, Duke will have a harder time holding this offense down, though.
On the other end, the Hoosiers haven’t really held anyone below 28 points. They won Games by scoring just above that. Duke’s offense only scored more than 34 points once in ACC play and that could be an issue against this Hoosiers team.
Everything will be on quarterback Thomas Sirk’s shoulders, who has passed for 15 TDs and 6 INTs, and also leads the team with 648 rushing yards and six more touchdowns. OUtside of Sirk, they haven’t really been able to do much in the ground Game with lead running back Shaq Powell, only reaching more than 46 yards just once in the last eight Games. For the Blue Devils to score, Sirk will likely need a big Game and that’s a possibility against this defense. Sirk will probably look toward leading receiver Max McCaffrey (five TDs) plenty in this Game.
It’s going to take a lot for Duke’s offense to keep up, especially against a healthy Sudfeld and Howard. The Blue Devils haven’t covered in Four straight Games played on grass, while the Hoosiers have covered in three straight Games, which is the result of a healthier Nate Sudfeld under center.
Our Pick – Indiana -2