David Cutcliffe Era Begins at Duke

ACC Coastal No. 6—Duke Blue Devils

The Skinny:
2007 Record: 1-11 (0-8)
Returning Starters: 17
Lettermen Returning: 50
Off PPG: 16.4 (12), RYPG: 64.8 (12), PYPG: 189.9 (11)
Def PPG: 33.1 (12), RYPG 165.0 (11), PYPG: 229.1 (9)

Offense (7 returning starters, 20 lettermen)

Duke ranked last in the ACC in offense last year, scoring just 16 points per game and averaging 255 yards per game.

The unit returns seven starters from a year ago and will be led by QB Thaddeus Lewis.

The junior QB (2,430 yards, 21 TD 10 INT) had an up and down year last year that started out well, but faded down the stretch. I expect the Blue Devils' passing game to be much improved this year under the schooling of David Cutcliffe.

Lewis' favorite target will be Senior Eron Riley, who led the nation in yards per catch last season (20.8). On the ground, Duke must improve on its paltry No. 117 ranking in rushing offense. Duke has not had a 100-yard rusher in 16 straight games. This year may not be any relief, as they lost three starters on the o-line.

Defense (10 returning starters, 27 lettermen)

Duke returns all four DL who started the final five games, but this unit isn't going to scare anyone. The LB corps lost just one key player from last season and will be the strength of the D.

The player to watch is Michael Tauiliili (108 tackles). The DBs really struggled last year after losing John Talley. However, this unit should be better with 3 starters returning.

Special Teams

The kicking game may have been the end for Ted Roof, as three missed field goals against UNC helped prevent Duke from beating their arch rival. Cutcliffe has solid special teams at Ole Miss so expect improvement here.

Newcomers of Note

The top player in the class is, by far, quarterback Sean Renfree. The Arizona native originally committed to Georgia Tech but switched to Duke when GT hired Paul Johnson. This kid could be a star at QB under Cutcliffe in a few years.

Wrap-Up

Duke has been downright awful at football over the last 60 years. They have just three seasons of six wins or more since 1945 and two of those came under Steve Spurrier.

Since their last six win season, Duke has just nine ACC wins. David Cutcliffe brings renewed optimism in Durham, but the Blue Devils have a ways to go to being a bowl team.

Prediction
Almost Certain Wins: James Madison
Almost Certain Losses: @ GT, v Miami, @ WF, @ Clemson, @ VT
Swing: v Northwestern, v UVA, @ Vandy, v NC State, v UNC

3-9, 0-8