| Duke was once considered one of the worst BCS | | | | more this year. |
| football teams in the country, and while they still | | | | Up front the Blue Devils will have a lot of |
| aren't an elite program, they have continued to | | | | experience back on the offensive line, as four |
| improve over the last couple seasons. In 2009 the | | | | starters return from the 2009 season. Junior left |
| Blue Devils finished at 5-7, just one win away | | | | tackle Kyle Hill figures to do a fine job protecting |
| from bowl eligibility. A big reason for the | | | | Renfree's blind side, but the Blue Devils must find |
| turnaround at Duke is head coach David Cutcliffe, | | | | a new starter at the other tackle position. Fellow |
| who has brought life to a team that use to be | | | | junior Jon Needham is the frontrunner to take |
| one of the easiest games on the schedule. In | | | | over the open spot, as he has the most |
| 2010 the Blue Devils will have 15 starters back, | | | | experience and talent of any other tackle on |
| and figure to have a great shot at making their | | | | Duke's roster. |
| first bowl game since 1994. Here is a quick | | | | Defense: |
| breakdown of what the Blue Devils will send to | | | | Duke dropped off on the defensive side of the |
| the field on both sides of the ball, plus my | | | | ball last season, as they gave up just over 28 |
| thoughts on where they finish the year in the | | | | points a game last season. up front the Blue |
| ACC Coastal. | | | | Devils return senior defensive end Patrick Egboh |
| Offense: | | | | and junior defensive tackle Charlie Hatcher. Senior |
| Duke had just six starters back on the offensive | | | | Wesley Oglesby has started 16 games during his |
| side of the ball last season, but still managed to | | | | time with the Blue Devils, and he is the prime |
| increase their scoring average from 20 points to | | | | target to take over at the other defensive end |
| 25 points a game. This year they have nine | | | | spot. As far as the other defensive tackle spot |
| starters back, and will look for even more | | | | goes, look for sophomore Tyree Glover to step |
| improvements from this side of the ball. | | | | in and start next to Hatcher. |
| A big reason the Blue Devils were so successful | | | | Duke didn't get the greatest play from their |
| on offense last season was the play of | | | | linebackers last season, but are hoping that they |
| quarterback Thadeus Lewis, but he has graduated | | | | can improve things this season with senior middle |
| and left a big hole for the Blue Devils to fill this | | | | linebacker Damian Thornton and senior weak-side |
| season. Heading into the fall it looks as though | | | | linebacker Abraham Kromah back. Thornton |
| sophomore Sean Renfree is going to get the first | | | | finished third on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss |
| shot at taking over the starting job, but he is | | | | last season, and will be asked for much of the |
| coming off an ACL injury so it might take him | | | | same this year. Senior Adam Banks started four |
| awhile to get things going. | | | | games for the Blue Devils at outside linebacker |
| With all the improvements made on the offensive | | | | last season, and he figures to be the guy to step |
| side of the ball, the Blue Devils were dreadful at | | | | in and start all season on the strong side. |
| running the football last season, as they averaged | | | | The only starters back for the Blue Devils in the |
| just 63 yards a game on the ground. Sophomore | | | | secondary is senior corner Chris Rwabukamba |
| Desmond Scott was the leading rushing for the | | | | and junior strong safety Matt Daniels, so there is |
| Blue Devils with just 262 yards and one | | | | likely going to be a drop off in production from |
| touchdown. I look for Scott to get a lot more | | | | this unit in 2010. Junior Jonny Williams is expected |
| carries this season, and should give the Blue Devils | | | | to start opposite of Rwabukamba at the other |
| a huge boost in the ground game, as I think they | | | | corner spot, while sophomore Jordan Byas looks |
| could increase their average over the 100 yard | | | | to step in and start at free safety. |
| mark this season. | | | | ACC Coastal Prediction - 5th: I think it's safe to |
| Renfree steps into a pretty good situation, as the | | | | say the Blue Devils will stay ahead of Virginia for |
| Blue Devils return all three starting wide receivers | | | | last place in the Coastal, but I don't think we can |
| and senior tight end Brett Huffman. Junior | | | | expect them to finish any higher in this division, as |
| Donovan Varner led the Blue Devils in receiving | | | | the top four teams are all capable of finishing the |
| last year with 65 catchs for 1,047 yards and eight | | | | year in the top 25. I look for Duke is going to |
| touchdowns. While I think Varner is going to have | | | | have to pull off a few upsets if they want to |
| a pretty productive season, I think we will see a | | | | reach the 6-6 mark and become bowl eligible this |
| bit of a drop off in the passing game this season, | | | | season. |
| especially if the Blue Devils try to install the run | | | | |
