Duke Football 2010: Elon Game More Important Than Alabama for Devils

The most high profile game on Duke's calendar comes on September 18, when the defending BCS National Champions Alabama come to Wallace Wade Stadium.

That match up provides an intriguing story line, at least from a Blue Devil perspective, but it is not even the most important game on the calendar.

Heading into David Cutcliffe's third year as head coach, Duke has more optimism surrounding it than ever before. Cutcliffe is bridging the talent disparity which has kept the Blue Devils consistently at the bottom of the ACC and the FBS for nearly three decades.

Cutcliffe has also made a commitment to improve facilities at Duke and those are apparent in new concession stands, practice field, and facilities.

All that optimism will come crashing down in short order if the Blue Devils loose in the opening week to FCS opponent Elon.

The Phoenix aren't going to be a pushover either as they are considered one of the top teams in the FCS. Last season they made the playoffs before bowing out in the first round to Richmond, a team that beat Duke in last season's opener.

The Blue Devils were able to recover and have their best season in nearly 15 years finishing 5-7. For Duke to continue making progress and get eventually get back to playing in bowl games they will have to win games against the likes of Elon.

A second consecutive opening loss to an FCS school, no matter how good they are, would devastate the fan base which is optimistic but fragile.That fan support will be important as Duke will have seven home games this year. Teams can thrive off a good crowd, and the Blue Devils will need all the support they can get.

Beating Elon will put Duke off to a good start toward making their first bowl appearance since 1994. Not to say that beating Elon means they are bowl bound. The season will not be easy with so much youth being forced to play, before they are ready.

However, a Blue Devil victory means they are continuing to take steps toward being a consistently respectable team. That starts with beating teams you should and eventually leads to beating teams you aren't expected to.

The hope is that one day Duke will be good enough to beat teams they have no business beating like Alabama, but they should still focus on the Elons of the college football world first.