Five Reasons Duke Football Can Still Compete in the ACC This Season

What are the top five factors the Blue Devils have that can help Duke Football compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, even without starting QB Thomas Sirk?

Duke Football is coming off their first bowl game victory since 1961 and four straight postseason bowl game appearances. David Cutcliffe has done a great job of changing the culture and expectations of the football program.

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Unfortunately, the momentum heading into the 2016 season has taken several huge hits this offseason. First, Duke will have to replace All-Americans Jeremy Cash at safety and Matt Skura at center as well as other key players at various positions from last year’s team. There have also been several changes to the coaching staff with the Blue Devils adding new offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinators, two defensive players were recently suspended for the first three games of the year, and now starting quarterback Thomas Sirk is expected to miss the season after re-injuring his ruptured Achilles during training camp and Duke will have a new and inexperienced starting quarterback leading the offense this year.

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Many project the Blue Devils to have a down year and struggle this season, but hope is not lost for the team yet. Here are five reasons why Duke can still compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and advance to their fifth straight bowl game this year.

ACC Costal Division

There is a lot of uncertainty in the ACC Coastal Division this season, which could work in the Blue Devils’ favor. Duke had a chance to win the division title last season, but an untimely losing streak dropped them into fourth place. UNC is the clear favorite to win the division this season after winning the title last year, but there are still a lot of questions surrounding the entire Coastal division, which has had four winners in the last five years.

The Tar Heels, like Duke, will be going into the season with a first-time starting quarterback. Pitt will be relying on the health of running back and former ACC Player of the Year James Conner who was out last season. Miami, Virginia, and Virginia Tech all hired new head coaches during the offseason. And Georgia Tech surprisingly finished last in the Coastal division last season after winning it in 2014.

Next: Year of the Beast

2016 is the Year of the Beast

David Cutcliffe declared this season the “Year of the Beast” after completely transforming the team’s offseason workout and training plan. The main goal over the summer was for players to get stronger, which will hopefully increase the teams physicality and confidence on the field.

Cornerback Breon Borders admitted that Duke “got pushed around” at times last year, but believes the extra weightlifting has helped players become stronger and more athletic for the upcoming season. On offense, starting wide receiver Anthony Nash noted that the added strength is going to make them “more explosive” and increase the number of big plays this season.

Roster Full of Talented Young Players

David Cutcliffe has done a great job of recruiting in the last few years, and the Blue Devils will add one of the top freshman classes in school history this season. For example, the video below highlights 4-star wide receiver Scott Bracey, who is an excellent athlete and expected to contribute immediately on offense as a freshman. Duke Football also tabbed redshirt freshman quarterback Daniel Jones to start for the upcoming season replacing Thomas Sirk.

Additionally, lack of depth forced some of the younger players from last season to play a larger role than expected, especially on defense. These players gained valuable experience heading into the upcoming year and can improve to make an impact this season. Sophomore LB Ben Humpreys, redshirt sophomore LB Tinashe Bere, junior LB Zavier Carmichael, junior CB Alonzo Saxton, junior CB Zach Muniz, redshirt sophomore WR Chris Taylor, and sophomore WR T.J. Rahming all stepped in last season and played due to injuries, suspensions, etc., and will have a bigger role with the team this season.

Next: Running Backs

Experienced Running Back Duo

The running game has always been important in Duke’s offense, but the loss of Thomas Sirk means they will play a much larger role this season. Earlier this summer, Coach Cutcliffe praised the running backs on their progress this offseason. Duke will be one of the few schools in the conference to return two 1,000+ yard rushers.

Redshirt senior captain Jela Duncan is the projected starter this year. Despite struggling with a shoulder injury last season, he totaled 67 carries for 460 yards and four TDs in addition to catching 11 passes for 89 yards. He compiled at least 100+ yards twice last season and is expected to play a larger role now that he’s healthy.

Junior Shaun Wilson will also play a key role in the offense this season for the Blue Devils. After a record-breaking freshman year, Wilson recorded 84 rushes for 424 yards and three TDs to go along with 19 catches for 207 yards and one TD last season. Including special teams, he totaled 795 all-purpose yards and was named Co-MVP of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl last postseason after accounting for 282 total yards.

Coaching

Even though Duke experienced a lot of turnover on the coaching staff this offseason, as long as David Cutcliffe is in charge then the Blue Devils will be in good hands. Cutcliffe was ranked as one of the top NCAA coaches heading into the college football season. His leadership has helped turn Duke Football into a winning team and he continues to set the goals higher for the program.

Duke was also expected to struggle last season but ended up getting their first bowl victory in over 50 years. Last season the Blue Devils had first-year starting quarterback Thomas Sirk taking over for Anthony Boone and also had to replace All-American offensive tackle Laken Tomlinson and wide receiver Jamison Crowder.

Duke Football will begin their 2016 season this weekend against North Carolina Central University in the Bull City Gridiron Classic. If the Blue Devils are able to capitalize on these five things then they will still be able to have a successful season in compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference despite the negative projections.