2013-14 Preview (ACC) Blue Devils
Ever since noted quarterback developer David Cutcliffe came to Duke the program has gotten a lot more respectable. Last year they finished 6-7 but that final loss was in the Belk Bowl, the first time the program had gone bowling since 1994.
Duke Blue Devils (Team Link)
Coach: Daivd Cutcliffe
2012 Record: 6-7
Odds of winning BCS Championship: +2000
They are never going to become a perennial ACC challenger, especially the way they keep adding programs, but they are not the doormat they once were either. Just ask Wake Forest, Virginia or North Carolina, all teams Duke beat last year.
If Duke wants to take a step forward in this or any other season they need to start beating the really good teams though. Down the stretch they lost to Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami and then Cincinnati in their bowl game – all the best teams on their schedule.
If they can rise up and sting a program like those every once in awhile then Cutcliffe’s reputation will continue to grow.
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s College Picks in 2013!
A Cutcliffe offense is always going to be pass heavy and he is known for being somewhat of a quarterback guru. This year he will be trying to prove his worth by getting the production he needs out of new starter Anthony Boone. Helping him along will be junior receiver Jamison Crowder, who shared the team lead with 1074 yards last season.
Also making this transition a little bit easier is that 4 members of the offensive line also return. It is a pretty good setup for a first time starter.
The Blue Devils were 8th in the ACC rushing the ball a year ago, a number they should probably look to improve given their experience on the line and an untested QB.
They do return their top two leading rushers from last year in backs Jela Duncan and Josh Snead, who both averaged 5 yards a rush or better leading you to believe that maybe they don’t need to be so pass heavy in their offense.
They are never going to be smashmouth artists but a little more running might settle everything down this season.
Duke was just plain bad on defense last year. In losing their last 5 games of the season , including the bowl game, not once did they hold an opponent to under 40 points. This program has always struggled to bring in the athletic talent needed to really perform well on the defensive side of the ball and that is not going to change this season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
They return just 4 starters this season but one player who can make a difference is DE Kenny Anunike who led the team in sacks last year with 5. He and Justin Foxx form a decent bookend combo.
2013-14 Record Projection: 3-9
Backsliding to a 3-9 record is not an indication that this program is slipping. They are putting an untested QB into the fray this season and the defense is probably still going to be awful. One thing to admire about Duke is that they don’t schedule a bunch of cheapies so when they are not very strong, for them, the record can be pretty bleak.
This season could be an important building year as more than half their projected starters are sophomores and juniors.
Cutcliffe has proven that he can develop talent so next year I would expect the Blue Devils to compete for a bowl game. In looking at their schedule I think there are some nice spots to back the Dookies so don’t completely forget about them.
Home games against NC State and Miami in the final month could be closer than expected as the team should develop throughout the season.
2013 Blue Devils Schedule:
AUG 31 – North Carolina Central
SEP 7 – @Memphis
SEP 14 – Georgia Tech
SEP 21 – Pittsburgh
SEP 28 – Troy
OCT 12 – Navy
OCT 19 – @Virginia
OCT 26 – @Virginia Tech
NOV 9 – NC State
NOV 16 – Miami
NOV 23 – @Wake Forest
NOV 30 – @North Carolina
