College Football 2010: ACC Would Do Well Not To Overlook Duke

Duke Football isn't getting much love these days.

Despite winning more games in the last two seasons than it has it the past decade, the Blue Devils football program just isn't a sexy pick among the experts who prognosticate about college football.

Case in point, during yesterday's College Football Live on ESPN, analyst Brian Griese was discussing the Miami Hurricanes' schedule. When it came to the midseason matchup with Duke, Griese spent less than a second on the game chalking it up as an automatic W for the Canes.

Now, while he is probably correct in saying that it should be a win for Miami, he is wrong to dismiss the Blue Devils so quickly. After all, Duke did give Miami all they could handle for about three and a half quarters last season, before fading down the stretch.

Chances are, that will become more the norm with David Cutcliffe at the helm. Granted, many programs in the ACC still are a good deal more talented than this current group of Blue Devils, but the Duke program is experiencing a rebirth which may still be hard for many to believe.

It has started with Cutcliffe closing the talent gap. He has done that with camps, solid recruiting, an impeccable reputation, as well as improvements to facilities which catch the eyes of recruits and their parents.

By making Duke a more competitive program, Cutcliffe is making Duke a more attractive destination for the type of athletes who can make the Blue Devils a potential contender in the ACC.

He'd be the first to admit they aren't quite there, but he will also be frank about the fact that they aren't the same old Duke. Looking at his team as an easy win would now be a mistake.

Duke is playing a more exciting brand of football. It is a pro-style and, therefore, attractive to top-tier quarterbacks looking to play in a pro-style set. The Blue Devils projected starter Sean Renfree was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback in his class two years ago.

The Blue Devils are clearly headed in the right direction and some are even projecting they may become bowl eligible as early as this season.

Even if they don't, they certainly will not roll over for anyone, and the ACC had better be prepared to play hard against Duke on a regular basis.

History has showed that the Davids of the world have a knack for knocking off Goliaths every season. It would not be shocking to see the Blue Devils pull off such a feat.

Time will tell, but the experts, as well as the conference and non-conference foes alike may want to pay a little bit more attention to Duke these days.