Duke's Outgunned and Outmanned vs. Kansas, Devils face Big Odds

Even before the injury report came out Thursday afternoon, Duke was looking at an uphill battle when they travel to Lawrence to take on No. 22 Kansas.

With the potential for some of his best players to miss Saturday's game, Coach David Cutcliff better have some tricks up his sleeve if the Blue Devils want to have a shot in this game.

Duke announced that wide receiver Connor Vernon, who had a nice game against Army, is doubtful for Saturday. Meanwhile, Vince Oghobaase, the heart of the defense, is questionable.

To make matters worse, the team's leading rusher, Jay Hollingsworth, is also questionable and second leading rusher Re'quan Boyette is only probable to play in the game.

With both of those guys barely cracking more than two yards per carry over the first two games, the Blue Devils rushing attack could possibly be even worse than it has been, which is saying something.

Duke (1-1), a 20-plus point underdog to Kansas (2-0), doesn't match up on paper well, even when fully healthy.

The Jayhawks, lead by Todd Reesing, feature a solid line and a much more balanced attack which is racking up 561.5 yards per game, sixth in the nation.

While the two teams put up statistically similar passing numbers, Kansas, 291.5 yards per game, has been a far more effective rushing team than the Blue Devils, 44.5 yards per contest.

That inability to rush the ball will cost Duke dearly come Saturday.

If the injury bug wasn't bad enough, to make matters worse, Duke got word this week that its next opponent North Carolina Central isn't considered a FCS team yet. Therefore, a win next week wouldn't count toward bowl eligibility, which makes Saturday's game a virtual must-win.

Problem is, Duke hasn't beaten a ranked opponent since 1994. Doing so on the road is an even less enviable task.

Cutcliffe, however, still has his players and a number of fans believing and excited about this game. But one has to wonder if he feels like winning this game—like success for this team—may be a year away.

Still, Duke could carry in some of that confidence garnered in last week's win at West Point and perhaps, with a lot of luck and one whale of a game plan, could pull off a shocker.

I'm not going to bet on it, though.

Prediction: Kansas 42 Duke 10

Keys to the game for Duke: Can Duke get a running game going? Will they have a healthy running back? Why isn't highly touted freshman running back Desmond Scott seeing any action? More questions than answers don't spell good news for the Blue Devils.

Players to watch for Duke: I expect Oghobaase to play. If he and the rest of the defensive line can get some pressure on Reesing and bottle up the rushing attack, Duke could keep it close. Also, Thad Lewis better have a good game or the few Blue Devil fans who pay attention will be screaming quarterback controversy even if Cutcliffe says there isn't one.

Keys to the game for Kansas: Keep the balance and keep Reesing off his back. As long as Reesing has time to work, he can pick apart Duke's secondary easily. With a solid rushing attack to complement the passing game, expect this to be a one-sided contest.

Players to watch for Kansas: The Jayhawks will go as far as Reesing's arm will carry them. His ability to create will open up the running game and could keep the Duke defense on its heals. If that happens and the Blue Devil DBs play on roller skates, expect a long afternoon for Duke with a lot of happy natives in Lawrence.