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Pinstripe Bowl 2015, Indiana vs. Duke preview, predictions, odds and live stream info

By Nathaniel Reeves

Nov 14, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) throws a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) throws a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Hoosiers vs. Duke Blue Devils

Two power five programs will try to end long bowl droughts without a bowl victory when the Indiana Hoosiers meet the Duke Blue Devils in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Indiana won its final two games to earn bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007. While the Hoosiers had to battle for a 6-6 record, they played a number of top Big Ten teams tough, including seven-point losses to Ohio State and Michigan.

Head coach Kevin Wilson has the Hoosiers operating as one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld threw for over 3,000 yards with a TD:INT ratio of 24:5 during the regular season.

David Cutcliffe continued Duke’s turnaround in 2015, leading the Blue Devils to a solid 7-5 season. Duke struggled down the stretch after a promising start, losing four straight games before beating Wake Forrest in the season finale.

While Duke has been successful over the past few years due to its offense, the Blue Devil defense has played well at times this year as well. Linebacker Dwayne Norman recorded 8.5 tackles for loss to pace a group that was very difficult to run the ball against down the stretch.

Neither team has won a bowl game since 1991, so both squads should be fired up on Saturday. The Pinstripe Bowl begins at 3:30 PM eastern on ABC and can be streamed live on the WatchESPN app.

Further details for Saturday’s game are below:

Date: Saturday, December 26, 2015
Start Time: 3:30 PM eastern
Location: Bronx, NY
Stadium: Yankee Stadium
TV Info: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: ESPN radio, Sirius XM channel 80
Ticket information: For Duke ticket info click here. For Indiana ticket info click here. 

Keys to Victory

Indiana is the most dangerous 6-6 the land and has the offense to challenge anyone, as proven by their close games against Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa. The big question for the Blue Devils will be if they can slow down the Hoosiers, let alone stop them.

Given how explosive the Hoosiers have been this season, that is going to be a tough task. While the run game could be limited with running back Jordan Howard’s status uncertain due to a knee injury, Indiana averages 8.2 yards per pass attempt per TeamRankings and does a great job of taking care of the ball.

That could spell trouble for a solid, but not great, Duke defense. While the Blue Devils do an excellent job of limiting the run, the secondary has been burned by big plays all season long. Overall, Duke has given up 8.1 yards per pass attempt  according to TeamRankings to rank 103rd in the country.

Those numbers came with All-American safety and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Jeremy Cash on the field. Cash underwent wrist surgery last week and will miss the Pinstripe Bowl, meaning a lot of pressure will be placed on backup Corbin McCarthy limit the Hoosiers.

Things may look grim on that end, but the good news for the Blue Devils is that they will be facing a Hoosiers defense that couldn’t stop anyone in the regular season. Quarterback Thomas Sirk has struggled, but has the ability to take advantage of a bad Indiana secondary and can make plays with his legs.

If Sirk plays his best game of the year and the Blue Devils win the turnover battle, they will be able to slow things down and make this one very competitive throughout. Either way, expect plenty of points in an entertaining battle in the Bronx.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Indiana – 2
Moneyline: Indiana -115, Duke -105
O/U: 71

Indiana went 7-5 against the spread this year, including three straight victories. Duke was 6-6 against the spread in the regular season.

Prediction

There will be fireworks from both sides in this one, but the Indiana offense is going to be too much for the Blue Devils to handle.

Sudfeld will be able to take advantage of a Duke secondary that has underachieved all season. Without Cash on the field, the receiving duo of Simmie Cobbs Jr. and Ricky Davis is going to be hard to slow down.

Sirk will make some plays of his own against the porous Indiana secondary. The Blue Devils will also force Indiana to be one-dimensional by limiting the run game, particularly if Howard doesn’t play, which will keep this one close throughout.

In the end, Indiana’s advantage at the quarterback position will make the difference. The Hoosiers take care of the ball very well, and Duke won’t be quite able to keep up as a result.

Final Score: Indiana 42, Duke 37

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