2010 College Football: Duke Defense Has David Cutcliffe's Attention

The center of David Cutcliffe's world has always been quarterbacks and offense.

His greatest challenge at Duke in 2010 will be putting a defensive unit on the field. He and co-defensive coordinators Jim Knowles and Marion Hobby need to replace major contributors in linebacker Vincent Rey, defensive tackle Vince Oghobaase, and standout corner Leon Wright.

Those three were the anchor of the Blue Devil's defensive unit that made significant strides in controlling opposing teams' points and yards per game averages last season.

Of course the Duke defense has had no where to go but up. Even when Ted Roof, a defensive coordinator by trade, was head coach, Duke's defense was less than stellar.

During his tenure the best the Devils could rank in total defense amongst FBS schools was 80th. On average, Roof's defenses averaged 98th best in the country.

When Cutcliffe arrived on campus he was touted as an offensive mastermind, but Duke's defense saw a dramatic improvement going from a total defensive rank of 99 in 2007 to 50 in 2008. A large part of that was the defensive schemes of Mike MacIntyre who left Duke after last season to take the head coaching job at San Jose State University.

Despite a dropoff in 2009, falling to 89 in the rankings according to Rivals.com, Duke's defense was no longer the liability it had been.

Still Cutcliffe is finding that defense is still potentially the weakest link in the 2010 version of Duke Football.

Gone are the best defensive lineman, Oghobaase, best linebacker, Rey, and defensive back, Wright. Coming into replace them are a small contingent of veterans such as defensive tackle Charlie Hatcher, safety Lee Butler, and corner Chris Rwabukama.

There are other veterans that will help fill out the starting lineup, but some holes and a great number of reserve positions will be filled by freshman, and Johnny Williams, a converted wide receiver.

Odds are there will be some serious growing pains on that side of the football this season, and if a major injury occurs with a depth chart that is already compromised, it could be a long season.

Cutcliffe has said he hopes a variety of defensive schemes and looks including the use of a 3-4 front will help.

Duke has added speed, strength, and conditioning since Cutcliffe's arrival and no area was in greater need than the defense.

If Knowles and Hobby can actively blend the mix of youth and experience and avoid injuries, then Duke should manage to hold ground in 2010 and build on its progress in 2011.

Cutcliffe has made defensive improvement a priority in recruiting as well. Almost half of Duke's 2011 commitments are defensive players.

And while none is more than a 3-star prospect based on Rivals rankings, there is always the hope that a gem will emerge as was the case with Aaron Curry at Wake Forest who was only a 2-star recruit out of high school.

As with everything at Duke, the defense is a work in progress, but Cutcliffe and crew are putting in the work to make sure that the Blue Devils aren't just seen as a passing team. That D in Duke could eventually stand for defense.