Duke Football: Can Blue Devils return to the postseason in 2021?

Duke’s turnover issue needs to be addressed

Last season was Duke’s worst offense since David Cutcliffe took the helm. Unlike 2019, talent was not the issue. The Blue Devils moved the ball at times (rewatch the Notre Dame game), but turnovers were the Achilles’ heel of Duke’s offense.

Duke’s 39 turnovers were good for dead last in the country, and the next worst team, Mississippi State, had 14 fewer turnovers than the Devils last season. Last season’s starting quarterback, Chase Brice, threw 15 interceptions. In Brice’s defense, he was also sacked 34 times in those same 11 games.

Duke’s success hinges on improved offensive line play. Cutcliffe hopes that redshirt junior quarterback Gunnar Holmberg solidifies the position, and the receivers can find more explosive plays in the passing game. However, if the trenches do not improve, none of that will happen.

The offensive line is not beset by injuries like they were last season. Veteran center Jack Wohlabaugh returns from a season-ending knee injury, and Duke needs him to anchor the line as he did in 2019. Sophomore Graham Barton moves to tackle after playing guard last season, and grad-transfer Kade Parmelly moves to guard.

Though all-purpose back Deon Jackson is gone, last season’s leading rusher, Mateo Durant, returns. Jordan Waters showed promise in limited action last season. Expect Cutcliffe to lean on the running game to play some ball-control as Holmberg acclimates himself to be QB1.