Stanford vs Duke Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 19, 2026
The Stanford Cardinal visit the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 4:00 PM ET on The CW. Stanford is 1-1 overall and 0-1 in the ACC after a 45-6 loss to Miami, following a 37-27 victory over Hawaii. Duke is 2-0 overall and 0-0 in the ACC after a 31-27 road win over Illinois, which followed a 17-3 victory over Tulane. Get ready for Saturday’s ACC matchup with our free NCAAF picks.
Stanford Cardinal
Stanford has scored 43 points through two games while averaging 265.5 passing yards and 118 rushing yards per game. Davis Warren has completed 43 of 75 passes for 524 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Benji Blackburn leads the Cardinal with 12 catches for 101 yards, while Caden High has 92 receiving yards. JonAnthony Hall has added 87 yards on three receptions, and Zion Robinson has 79 on three catches. Micah Ford leads the rushing attack with 126 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries.
The Cardinal have allowed 36 points per game after giving up 27 to Hawaii and 45 to Miami. Stanford has recorded two sacks and one interception through two games. Gabe Kaminski leads the pass rush with 1.5 sacks, while Sam Mattingly has half a sack. Charlie Eckhardt has the interception. Matt Rose leads Stanford with 21 tackles, with Jahsiah Galvan and Eckhardt each adding 11. Stanford has forced two fumbles but faces a Duke ground attack averaging 210 rushing yards per game.
Injuries: OG N. Prongos, WR N. Brown, K L. Bironas, WR D. Sharper, WR C. Shaw and OG A. Kilstrom are questionable with undisclosed injuries.
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Duke Blue Devils
Duke has scored 48 points through two games, with the Blue Devils doing their best work on the ground. Duke is averaging 210 rushing yards per game and five yards per carry. Nate Sheppard has been the main threat with 374 yards and three touchdowns on 59 attempts, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Walker Eget has completed 28 of 47 passes for 337 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Jonah Burton leads the receivers with 114 yards and a touchdown, while Jeremiah Hasley has 89 yards.
The Blue Devils have allowed 15 points per game, holding Tulane to three before allowing 27 at Illinois. Duke has recorded three sacks and one interception. Bryce Davis leads the defense with two sacks and 11 tackles, while Bradley Gompers has the other sack. Evan Smith has recorded Duke's interception. Nick Morris Jr. leads the team with 15 tackles, followed by Andrew Pellicciotta with 14. Duke has also recovered one fumble through its opening two games.
Injuries: WR J. Nicholas (undisclosed) is questionable.
Stanford vs Duke Prediction
Duke has the advantage at home behind a rushing attack that has already produced 420 yards. Sheppard has accounted for 374 of those yards and faces a Stanford defense coming off a 45-point outing against Miami. Stanford has moved the ball through the air, but the Cardinal have scored only one passing touchdown through two games. Duke can keep the offense centered on Sheppard while Eget takes care of the football through the air. Stanford will generate enough offense to stay competitive, but Duke’s stronger defensive numbers and rushing production will decide the matchup. Final Score Prediction: Duke Blue Devils win, 31-17.
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- Duke Blue Devils -9.5 (-112)
- Under 51.5 (-118)
