Ramblings and Predictions

[Bob Green]

I'm still most interested in the ACC preseason poll, my guess is they have us third or fourth in the Coastal

I agree. Miami and UNC will be ahead of us for sure. Miami because they have a lot of potential and UNC due to the ACC media bias. VT is a toss up as the Hokies have QB uncertainty, which is never a good situation. This season is going to be all about beating the teams we are suppose to beat to go 8-4. Pull off an upset or two while avoiding being upset and we are 9-3 or 10-2.

Q: Who should we beat?
A: Elon, Troy, Kansas, Tulane, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Syracuse and Wake Forest

The remaining four are all teams we can beat seeing as we went 3-1 last year against Miami, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh. Miami's defense is weak. North Carolina has a bit of QB controversy which we all hope blows up into a full blown feud. I also think Coach Cutcliffe might be in Coach Fedora's head. Virginia Tech is a team on a downward spiral. Pittsburgh lost a lot of talent including their QB, top WR and a beast of DT.

This season's schedule is like last season when Coach Cutcliffe stated, "There isn't a team on our schedule we can't beat."

[dpslaw]

This is the year we should beat Georgia Tech. That's one monkey I really want to get off our collective backs.

[CameronBornAndBred]

The Secrets To Duke's Success...unveiled!

David Cutcliffe earned plenty of praise for the job he did revitalizing Duke in 2012, but even the most optimistic Blue Devils fans had to be surprised by the leap their team took in 2013 — winning 10 games and playing for a conference title. So, how did they do it?

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/7 ... es-success

[Bob Green]

A solid look at Duke so thanks much for the link. The article mistakenly identifies Matt Skura as a senior when in fact he will be a junior. I'm very optimistic Anthony Boone will be the man in 2014! One thing most casual fans and national analyst either overlook or do not know is Boone's toughness factor. This is a guy who came back from a cracked collarbone a week early when Connette rolled his ankle and couldn't play. Boone was suppose to see "some snaps" against Navy, but he started and played the whole game.

[Bob Green]

http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/2014/JU ... une04.html

11 Blue Devils on the Phil Steele Preseason All ACC Team with five offensive, three defensive and three special teams.

[dpslaw]

Are there really four ACC kickers better than Ross Martin?

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Are there really four ACC kickers better than Ross Martin?

We all know there's a ceiling on how many Duke players may be listed on any All ACC list!

[Bob Green]

This SBNation preview was linked at DBR on Friday:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal ... ule-roster

It's a good read. The author calls out our punt coverage as needing improvement plus there is a good section on Anthony Boone. The author states Boone's decision making must improve but goes on to say we have all seen his upside.

Our offensive line experience sits at 84 career starts. That is impressive especially when one takes into account Lucas Patrick has only 1 career start and Cody Robinson has 0. Those two guys have played a lot of snaps so in my opinion 84 is artificially low.

When the preview turns to the defensive line, the author says it probably will not be better than last year against the run and could be worse in terms of generating a pass rush. There is no question in my mind the defensive line is the biggest question mark headed into the season. Somebody young has got to step up and Jamal Bruce has got to stay healthy. If either of those don't happen, the DL will be an ongoing issue.

[Bob Green]

Incoming freshman defensive back Alonzo Saxton (on the right) was a member of the state champion 4 X 200 relay team in Ohio:

[CameronBornAndBred]

Incoming freshman defensive back Alonzo Saxton (on the right) was a member of the state champion 4 X 200 relay team in Ohio:

Sweet. Know if he'll be doing the same at Duke?

[CameronBornAndBred]

Video....Cut previews the tight ends.

http://vimeo.com/97944042

[Bob Green]

Defensive backs preview:

http://vimeo.com/98946078

Coach Cutcliffe states the secondary has the chance to be the best in the ACC. We had three All ACC guys at safety with Jeremy Cash, Deondre Singleton and DeVon Edwards. He does express concern about depth and says Johnathan Lloyd and T.J. Douglas were moved the DB because they are extremely talented guys. Coach says Breon Borders and Bryon Fields are penciled in as the starters at cornerback.

An information filled video clip for sure.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Reasons why Duke is a favorite to repeat as Coastal champion.

Here is one of the biggest: Duke is the only team in the ACC to return its leading passer, rusher and receiver from a year ago. The Blue Devils return their top two leading tacklers, too.

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/7 ... a-favorite

[Bob Green]

Duke's roster, factoring in the 17 freshmen who will join the team (Johnathan Lloyd is already listed because he was a January enrollee), is at 89 which is four over the limit of 85.

The team roster at GoDuke has been updated. The 85 player limit is okay now. The four players no longer on the roster are:

1. QB Brandon Connette - transferred to Fresno State
2. CB Michael Westray - dismissed for violation of team rules
3. CB Jared Boyd - ??? (he has been injured his whole time at Duke)
4. LB Mario Sanders - ???

[Bob Green]

In the ramblings department, here is my look at the 2014 seniors:

http://bluedevilnation.net/2014/07/2014 ... aden-team/

Give it a read and pass it on.

[Bob Green]

Here is my position by position breakdown of Duke's offense:

http://bluedevilnation.net/2014/07/offe ... -position/

[devildeac]

Those are two great posts above, Bob. Thanks.

[lawgrad91]

Those are two great posts above, Bob. Thanks.

I concur with the Old Curmudgeon. Well-written, with lots of hope for the season.

[Bob Green]

Those are two great posts above, Bob. Thanks.

I concur with the Old Curmudgeon. Well-written, with lots of hope for the season.

Thank you very much, I appreciate the kind words. Here is my position by position look at the defense:

http://bluedevilnation.net/2014/07/defe ... -position/

[Bob Green]

Will new impact players emerge in 2014? Here is a look back followed by a look forward as I address the question:

http://bluedevilnation.net/2014/07/will ... erge-2014/