2014
Duke Blue Devils
College Football
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Schedule and Odds
After Duke’s first 10-win season ever, expectations are a little higher than normal for the Blue Devils. They return 16 starters and another run at the Coastal division should be expected from this group. Without Florida State, Clemson or Louisville on the Schedule, the opportunity will be there.
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The best news for Duke is that quarterback Anthony Boone (13 TDs, 13 INTs) and wide receiver Jamison Crowder (1,360 yards, 8 TDs) are both back. However, the main question will be what they can do without QB Brandon Connette there, who transferred from a two-QB system. Connette threw the ball less, but his passer rating was better and finished with 27 total TDs (14 on the ground). Can Boone take that spot all by himself or will Thomas Sirk be used more in a backup role?
Tight end Braxton Deaver (600 yards, 4 TDs) also returns with WR Max McCaffrey. The passing Game should be set, as long as Boone can take over full-time. A problem comes at running back where Jela Duncan — the team’s leader the past two seasons in carries — is suspended for the season. Josh Snead and Shaquille Powell both have plenty of experience, so it shouldn’t be too big of a deal. The Blue Devils lose two players on the line, but are led by a couple solid seniors that should keep them stable.
The defensive side probably has the bigger questions, most notably on the line where three starters leave. NT Jamal Bruce is back, but the guys around him will have to step up. The linebacking core is the best part of this unit with seniors Kelby Brown and David Helton back. The secondary is a tad young with three sophomores set to start, but Jeremy Cash is one of the best at safety after compiling 121 tackles and Four INTs last season.
As said before, if there was a season to win back-to-back titles, this would be it. Duke’s Schedule opens up nicely and they could be 4-0 before heading into ACC play. However, things get tough immediately with road Games at Miami and Georgia Tech in back-to-back Games. One of their two Conference losses last year was to the Yellow Jackets. Their other two road Games come at Pittsburgh and Syracuse.
Their road Schedule is fairly tough, which means Duke will have to win home Games against Virginia Tech and North Carolina, and those are only five days apart.
If Boone and the offense can keep the momentum going from last season, this team should be in a good spot based on the ease of Schedule. And if the defensive line doesn’t get completely torched, the Blue Devils should at least be able to compete in every Game this season. Eight wins looks like the minimum for this team, but that can definitely rise to nine or 10.
2014 Duke Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Elon
Sept. 6 at Troy
Sept. 13 vs. Kansas
Sept. 20 vs. Tulane
Sept. 27 at Miami (FL)
Oct. 11 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 18 vs. Virginia
Nov. 1 at Pittsburgh
Nov. 8 at Syracuse
Nov. 15 vs. Virginia Tech
Nov. 20 vs. North Carolina
Nov. 29 vs. Wake Forest