Triple Option Attack: 2014 Duke College Football Preview

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

 

Music to listen to: Rockin’ The Suburbs by Ben Folds

BTW: Ben was my former neighbor in Nashville but I never saw him one time in two years. Met the wife, saw the kids but never Ben. Nice family.

Last Season: Duke produced its best season in decades, winning 10 games, including an eight-game winning streak that had wins over North Carolina, at Virginia Tech and Miami. The Blue Devils proceeded to win the Coastal Division of the ACC for the first-time ever, dropping the conference title game to eventual national champion Florida State 45-7. Duke went on to face Texas A&M in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and lose to Texas A&M in one of the most entertaining contests of the season, 52-48.

 

Offense: If you’re reading this article, you’re aware of the legendary offensive coaching career of Blue Devils’ head coach David Cutcliffe. Its one thing to make Eli and Peyton Mannnig All-Americans and groom them into future NFL Hall of Famers (You read that correctly, Eli is going to Canton when he retires) but another level of skill to make Anthony Boone a top-level ACC quarterback. The senior threw for 2,260 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and has potential to progress even further this year. Boone also threw 13 interceptions which defined the inconsistent play he had at times.

 

Despite my praises of Cutcliffe and his quarterback developing ability, the Blue Devils offense, which averaged nearly 33 points a game last season, was propelled by a rushing attack that averaged 178 yards per contest as well. Expect running backs Josh Snead and Shaw Powell to be major contributors on the ground.

 

The main outside threat at wide receiver will be Jamison Crowder, who had 108 receptions for 1,360 yards and eight touchdowns last season. The offensive line has to replace several starters but welcomes back solid performers particularly guard Laken Tomlinson.

 

Defense: Duke had the traditional “bend but don’t break” defense last season, giving up 418 yards of offense per game but also forced 26 turnovers. The Blue Devils gave up 45 points to Florida State, 52 to Texas A&M and 58 to Pittsburgh, all losses.

 

Senior linebackers David Helton and Kelby Brown and junior safety Jeremy Cash have All-ACC potential but the defensive line must be rebuilt. The secondary had 16 interceptions last year but must stop the opponent from gaining yardage as well.

 

Schedule:

8/30	Elon
9/6	at Troy
9/13	Kansas
9/20	Tulane
9/27	at Miami (FL)
10/11	at Georgia Tech
10/18	Virginia
11/1	at Pittsburgh
11/8	at Syracuse
11/15	VIrginia Tech
11/20	North Carolina
11/29	Wake Forest

 

Duke avoids Florida State and Clemson in the regular season for the second-consecutive year. The Blue Devils have a chance to be 4-0 heading into their crucial road contests in consecutive weeks against Miami and Georgia Tech. Split those games and there’s potential for a repeat division title especially with getting Virginia Tech and North Carolina at home.

 

First memory: I was too young to remember Duke’s last bowl teams prior to last season when Steve Spurrier was the head ball coach in Durham but I sure as heck knew who Dave Brown was because the New York Giants selected him in the supplemental draft of 1992.

He was supposed to be the next great Giants quarterback after Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler led my favorite team to two Super Bowl titles. Brown actually lead New York to a nine-win season in 1994 but just wasn’t good enough to lead it to the promised land.

 

Favorite alum:

 

When I was a teenager, I was an intern for Bloomberg News and they had a studio which hosted the Charlie Rose show. We saw Halle Berry, Don King and numerous other celebrities in our hallways ready to be interviewed by the journalism legend. When the Sports Inquirer expands to include a studio for the podcast with live guests, his show will be a major inspiration for it from the black background, desk table, pattern and pacing of the interview, everything. Respect to Rose.

 

Honorable mention: Ken Jeong, Retta and Grant Hill.

 

Crush:

I haven’t messed with American Idol since the first few seasons but Kara DioGuardi seemed nice and did a good job on the show. Plus, she’s an excellent songwriter. Duke actually had some solid choices, which was surprising.

 

Honorable mention: Vanessa Rousso, Melissa Harris-Perry, Alana Beard

 

Overall outlook: The Blue Devils won 10 games last year but were actually outgained by opponents and won four contests by seven points or less. The offense should be fine but the defensive liabilities will most likely cost Duke a chance to repeat as division champions. I’m predicting a seven-win season and another bowl game apperaince.

Previous Previews:

 

ACC:

 

Boston College

 

SEC:

 

Kentucky