Duke-Wake Forest: Early ACC Football Matchup Is Key To Blue Devils' Bowl Hopes

It has been more than 15 years since Duke played in a bowl game and 10 years since the Blue Devils defeated Saturday's opponent, Wake Forest.

Duke last beat the Demon Deacons in the 1999 season, winning 48-35. Typically, a win over Wake Forest bodes well for the Blue Devils.

The Blue Devils (1-0, 0-0) kick off their ACC schedule much earlier than most and while it certainly isn't a marquee matchup, like Florida State-Oklahoma or Miami-Ohio State, the result will have major implications for the rest of the season.

Since the two schools started playing one another in 1869, the Blue Devils hold the lead in number of wins, with a record of 50-34. The bowl implications for Duke are also apparent, as it has never lost to the Deacons in a season where the Blue Devils have played in a bowl game.

So a win Saturday for Duke would be a monumental step in not just ending the decade-long losing streak to their in-state and conference rival, but also one step closer to bowl eligibility.

Coach David Cutcliffe has expressed his excitement about an early season conference matchup, and the juniors and seniors on Duke's squad know all too well how frustrating playing Wake Forest has been during their time in Durham.

Keys to the game for Duke

Duke must protect Sean Renfree and allow him time to throw the ball. Given the Blue Devils' proficiency with the pass last year and in the season opener last week against Elon, that may not be difficult.

However, they must establish a more consistent rushing attack. Duke did put up 192 yards against Elon, but it wasn't a dominant performance. Cutcliffe has said the running game has to improve to take pressure off Renfree and diversify the Blue Devils' offensive attack.

That means the line has to open up holes for the likes of Desmond Scott and Jay Hollingsworth, as well as freshmen Josh Snead and Juwan Thompson.

On defense, the Blue Devils have a lot of work to do: They were able to put some pressure on Elon's quarterback Scott Riddle, but at times they didn't look good holding containment on the outside running game.

The secondary also had its ups and downs, as Duke's defensive backs at times were out of position and generally looked lost. If Duke can't stop the Wake rushing attack, which racked up 400-plus yards last week, or keep new quarterback Ted Stachitas in check, it could be another barnburner and heartbreaker for the Blue Devils.

Keys to the game for Wake Forest

Stachitas will need to be calm, especially when facing a secondary that looks as ripe for the picking as Duke's did last week.

Wake ran the ball very well against Presbyterian last week, and surely Jim Grobe will try to do the same this week while still taking his shots down the field.

If the Wake secondary, which had its problems at time against the Blue Hose, can shore itself up against Duke's passing attack then it should have no problem slowing down the Blue Devils' developing running game.

Prediction: Wake Forest 42, Duke 35

This should be another high-scoring affair between the two rivals, who regularly see at least one team put up 30 or more points. In the end, the lack of a consistent running game and an inexperienced defense will be too much for the Blue Devils to overcome in another close loss to the Deacons.