Duke College Football Preview 2021: Keys To The Season
Duke Biggest Key: Offense
It’s very, very simple … STOP TURNING THE BALL OVER. To be a little bit fair, it’s not like former QB Chase Brice had a whole lot of time to work, but the interceptions were devastating for an offense that shot itself in the foot over and over and over again.
The Blue Devils led the nation with 39 turnovers – the -19 turnover margin is actually a gift thanks to a D that could take the ball away a bit – with a whopping seven games with three or more giveaways.
How bad was it? Louisville was -12 in turnover margin – that was the second-worst team in college football in the category.
But this isn’t new. Duke has given the ball away two or more times in 14 of the last 17 games and in 20 of the last 25.
Duke Biggest Key: Defense
Hold up better against the run. Duke has enough size to fold into the mix to not be a total pushover, but the defense could never take control of games because 1) the offense did everything it could to screw up and put the D in bad positions and 2) teams were able to run at will, especially as the season went on.
The first half of last year wasn’t bad with Virginia Tech the only team that went off on the ground in the first seven games, and then things got rough with the Blue Devils allowing 324 rushing yards or more in three of the last four games and 220 to Miami.
Getting hit by the Canes and North Carolina was one thing, but Florida State was able to run at will averaging 7.5 yards per carry with six touchdowns. And now the 2021 Blue Devils have to replace three starters up front.
The Blue Devils have lost their last 13 games going back to 2018 when allowing 178 or more rushing yards.
Duke Key Player To A Successful Season
QB Gunnar Holmberg, Jr.
He’s got enough size, a decent enough arm, and just enough mobility to be what the David Cutcliffe offense needs, but he has to not just settle the position with Chase Brice and Chris Katrenick transferring out, but take it up a few notches.
No one’s asking for Daniel Jones – Daniel Jones wasn’t even sixth-overall pick Daniel Jones-good for Duke back in 2019 – but as long as he’s not throwing a ton of interceptions and he’s able to keep the chains moving, it’ll be a big improvement at the position.
Duke Key Game To The 2021 Season
Northwestern, Sept. 18
Sometimes a program needs something positive to set a good tone. After a disastrous 2020 and a disappointing 2019, Duke has a shot at a huge start with a home win over Northwestern. Take down the defending Big 12 West champ, and with Kansas to follow and North Carolina A&T and Charlotte before, it should be a 4-0 start before diving into the ACC season.
2020 Duke Fun Stats
– Turnovers: Duke 39 – Georgia Tech & Mississippi State (the two teams with the second-most turnovers in college football) 25
– Time of Possession: Opponents 31:26 – Duke 28:34
– 2nd Half Scoring: Opponents 221 – Duke 119