Can Duke take the next step in 2009?

By Lee Roberts  |   Wednesday, May 13, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

Duke Blue Devils
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In his first season coaching the Duke Blue Devils' football team, David Cutcliffe accomplished something that no coach had since 2004: He won an ACC game. Yes, it was the only ACC win Duke managed last season, but it was an important step forward for the downtrodden program. After a successful 2008 campaign that saw Duke win four games, its most since 2003, what is next? Can Cutcliffe get the Blue Devils to a .500 record this year?

The Duke offense should be more potent than ever. After throwing 15 touchdowns and completing 62.1 percent of his passes in 2008, quarterback Thaddeus Lewis returns to lead the offense. His completion rate in '08 was seven percent higher than the year before, which is directly attributed to Cutcliffe’s coaching. Duke’s backfield is also bolstered by the return of running back Re’Quan Boyette, who led the team in rushing in 2006 and 2007 before missing last season with a knee injury. His return will help bolster the play-action passing game that Cutcliffe loves.

Offensively, the biggest question mark will be finding replacements for Eron Riley, the talented wide receiver the Blue Devils lost to graduation. Sophomores Johnny Williams and Donovan Varner played well this spring, but they are still unproven as go-to receivers.

The Duke defense will also face the challenge of replacing almost the entire linebacker corps, led by Michael Tauiliili -- who paced the team in tackles and interceptions, and will be extremely difficult to replace. The defensive line, led by Vince Oghobaase, will have to work harder to keep the experience-needy linebackers free to make plays this season.

The schedule throws Duke a couple favors in its quest to reach six wins. Duke plays two Football Championship Subdivision teams in its first four games, along with a trip to Army. Of course, one of those FCS teams is Richmond, which is the defending FCS champion. However, it’s realistic to think that Duke could begin the season 3-1. That’s when the ACC season starts.

Duke will have to win at least three ACC games in order to avoid a losing season. The best opportunities for victories will be at Virginia and home games against Maryland and Georgia Tech.

Ordinarily, a .500 record would get you to a bowl, but with two FCS teams on the schedule, Duke would need seven wins. So, a bowl game seems like a bit of a stretch when you consider that six wins is going to be difficult enough in an improving ACC. However, the fact we’re having this discussion shows the tremendous strides Cutcliffe has made in just over one year in Durham. Duke will likely finish with a losing record again this season, but its days as the conference doormat are over.
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About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ...
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