2010 Rivals ACC Preview – #93 Duke
From RIVALS.
COACH: David Cutcliffe (9-15, third season; 53-44, 10th season overall)
LAST SEASON: 5-7, 3-5 (5th in ACC Coastal)
FINAL 2009 RIVALS.COM RANKING: 76th
KEEP AN EYE ON: It will be interesting to see whether a change at defensive coordinator results in any strategic alterations. Duke hired former Cornell coach Jim Knowles to serve as co-coordinator with Marion Hobby after Mike MacIntyre left to take over as San Jose State’s coach.
STRENGTHS: Just about any team in the ACC would love to have Duke’s receivers. Donovan Varner caught 65 passes for 1,047 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the ACC in receiving last season, and he was just one of three Blue Devils with at least 50 catches. Conner Vernon caught 55 passes for 746 yards and three touchdowns, while Austin Kelly had 54 receptions for 625 yards and four touchdowns. Duke has enough depth in the receiving corps that it felt comfortable moving former WR Johnny Williams to cornerback. Duke also has a reliable kicker in Will Snyderwine, who went 17-of-20 on field-goal attempts last season.
WEAKNESSES: Who’s going to be throwing to those receivers? Now that four-year starter Thaddeus Lewis has ended his prolific career, uncertainty has replaced stability at quarterback. The most likely candidate to replace Lewis is Sean Renfree, who sat out spring practice after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last November. Other options include redshirt freshman Sean Schroeder and true freshman Brandon Connette. The Devils need to throw effectively because history shows they can’t run. Duke hasn’t produced a single 500-yard rusher since 2003, though Desmond Scott and Jay Hollingsworth will try to end that drought. Duke has plenty of holes to fill defensively after losing five players (T Vince Oghobaase, E Ayanga Okpokowuruk, LB Vince Rey, CB Leon Wright and FS Catron Gainey) who made a combined 170 career starts. The Blue Devils must upgrade their coverage units.
BUZZ: Cutcliffe has Duke moving forward for the long haul, but don’t be surprised if the Blue Devils take a small step backward this season. Duke has plenty of holes to fill on defense and won’t be quite as explosive on offense this season without Lewis. Duke also has non-conference games with Navy and defending national champion Alabama to go along with its ACC slate. If the Blue Devils match last year’s win total, it would represent a major achievement. They’ll probably have to settle for three or four wins instead.
– STEVE MEGARGEE
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