Pittsburgh Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

The Duke Blue Devils enter 2017 in some interesting territory. The Blue Devils went 4-8 overall and 1-7 in ACC play last season, after qualifying for a bowl game in four consecutive seasons.

Quarterback Thomas Sirk went down with an injury in the opening week of practice and the Blue Devils spiraled the other direction ever since. Sirk has since transferred to East Carolina, opening the door for redshirt sophomore Daniel Jones to take over.

Jones acquires a team that returns seven starters on offense and five on defense. Defense remains a concern after the Blue Devils allowed 28.2 points per game (66th in the FBS) last season.

Their top two tacklers, linebackers Ben Humphreys and Joe Giles-Harris, both return but that’s about the only positive for the defense. Both players recorded 107 tackles each in 2016.

Offensively, Jones returns top receiver T.J. Rahming. Rahming caught 70 receptions for 742 receiving yards and a touchdown. If Jones and Rahming can built a better rapport, the Blue Devils could find themselves back in the bowl-bid territory of things.

The good news in the Coastal Division is there’s no clear frontrunner, for now. However, come October, seasons will be a lot more defined.

Duke may not have the defense to keep up with the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2017. With three new starters on the defensive line, things could get crazy again in a hurry for Duke when they face the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The Blue Devils lost last season’s meeting 54-16. Pittsburgh may not put up 50 points again but the margin of victory could be up there.

Final: Duke 17, Pittsburgh 34  (5-3, 3-1 ACC)