The Duke Blue Devils are coming off an 8-5 season and are now looking for their fifth straight bowl appearance this season. Coach David Cutcliffe returns some key parts this season on both sides, returning 12 starters in total.
But it won’t be an easy schedule this season. These three games could be season changing kind of games that can make or break the Blue Devils in search for another bowl appearance.
North Carolina – Nov 10 (Thursday)
This use to be a game that not many circled on their schedule, as the Tar Heels owned the rivalry for several years. But now it has become a must game on Thursday night in the ACC the past few years. This is not only bragging right in the state of North Carolina but also for the Victory Bell, a prize that made its way back to Chapel Hill after UNC destroyed the Blue Devils 66-31 in Chapel Hill. Revenge should be on their mind and the defense will need to show up this time around against what should be an explosive offense. But this will be on in Durham, on ESPN, and on Thursday night with the rest of the ACC watching. It also could be a determining factor late in the Coastal Division.
Wake Forest – Sept 10
This one was a hard one to choose because you wouldn’t think a team like Wake Forest could be a season-changing kind of game. But let’s look at it this way; eight of the last 10 games have been decided by a total of 36 points. The Demon Deacons seemingly always play the Blue Devils tough, as Duke squeaked by with a 27-21 win last season. It is also the second home game after NC Central, in which they could end up being 2-0 to start the season. After that, they head to Northwestern and to Notre Dame, two tough environments. There is a big difference between starting the season 2-2 than 1-3.
Miami – Nov 26
This one is kind of simple. Everyone remembers the game last year in which Miami won on a last second kickoff return for a touchdown, a play that should have not counted. Duke had the win in Durham and you have to think that Coach Cutcliffe wants revenge on this one and it would be even better at Miami in the last game of the season. Duke could again be on the edge of bowl eligibility, so this could be a must-win for them at this time of the year. They finish the season on the road at Pittsburgh and at Miami
Sleeper Game: Georgia Tech – Oct 29
Duke has won two straight against the Yellow Jackets but Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech are hoping to bounce back again this season after a terrible 3-9 season. It seems that every time you count the Yellow Jackets out, they surprise you that season.
