TV/radio: 7 p.m. Saturday, BTN, WGN-AM 720.
Line: Northwestern by 3.5.
Records: Duke 1-1; Northwestern 0-2.
Last meeting: Northwestern won 19-10 on Sept. 19, 2015, in Durham, N.C., relying way more on defense and Justin Jackson (120 yards on 35 carries) than Clayton Thorson (9 of 23, no TDs, 2 INTs).
Keys to the game
Are there holes in the Wildcats’ plan? The heat is on the NU offensive line, which failed to clear paths for Jackson against Illinois State. The result — too many third-and-longs and Thorson scrambles.
Is it time for an NU sack attack? Duke expected big things from QB Thomas Sirk, but his Achilles injury elevated redshirt freshman Daniel Jones. The run-pass threat committed three turnovers last week against Wake Forest, fumbling twice in the backfield. Will the Wildcats dial up some blitzes? NU’s secondary is thin because of injuries to CB Matt Harris (concussion) and S Kyle Queiro (undisclosed).
Have the Wildcats looked in the mirror? With the nine-game Big Ten schedule looming, they need to look inside and see if they can muster enough effort to salvage their season.
Teddy Greenstein’s pick: Is more misery in store for the Wildcats? I think so.
Duke 17, Northwestern 16.