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

How will Duke football fare in 2021?

It will be hard to amass win in what should be a vastly improved ACC Coastal division. The good news is that The Blue Devils avoid Clemson, North Carolina State, and Florida State.

Their non-conference schedule is manageable with a mid-tier Group of Five team, an FCS squad, and Kansas on their schedule.

Some toss-ups could go either way that is also on their schedule.

• Game 1: at Charlotte (W) —  The 49ers are an improved team and improving program, making it to the postseason in 2019. However, they are a mid-tier Conference USA team, and the Blue Devils should have no problem winning their season opener down the road in Charlotte.
• Game 2: North Carolina A&T (W) — Duke has a fight on their hands against one of the better FCS programs in the country, hewing their path to the FBS.
• Game 3: Northwestern (L) — The Wildcats hit the jackpot with another transfer quarterback in Ryan Hilinski from South Carolina. This one should be physical and low scoring, however. That gives Duke a chance, but the Wildcats look like better teams in the Big Ten West. Northwestern in a slugfest.
• Game 4: Kansas (W) — The Jayhawks are the worst program in the Power Five. Even with the optimism of a new head coach, Lance Leipold cannot help the lack of talent depth on his team. Duke might not be that great, but they pull this one out because Kansas can’t stop anyone.
• Game 5: at North Carolina (L) — The Blue Devils open conference play with a loss to Sam Howell and the Tar Heels. Though the offense lost a lot of skilled talent to the NFL draft, Sam Howell returns to UNC. The difference in this game is Duke’s inability to move the ball against an improved Tar Heels defense.
• Game 6: Georgia Tech (L) — This is a toss-up. Yellowjackets head coach Geoff Collins has improved the talent on the Georgia Tech roster. This game comes down to the development of quarterback Jeff Sims and if the Blue Devils can stop the run. Five turnovers and 377 rushing yards allowed did Duke in last season. The turnovers might get better; the rush defense might not.
• Game 7: at Virginia (L) — This is a toss-up as well. The Blue Devils had seven turnovers in last season’s game. That will not happen again.  The Cavaliers don’t have much punch offensively but should have no issue slowing Duke’s offense. This one comes down to offensive line play. Duke could not run the ball against Virginia last season. If that happens again, Duke loses this one.
• Game 8: at Wake Forest (L) — The tempo offense of the Demon Deacons proves too much for the Blue Devils in this one. This one could be close if Duke can run the football and keep the ball away from Sam Hartman and the Deacons’ offense. This game might come down to the secondary’s ability to keep Wake Forest’s pass game out of the endzone.
• Game 9: Pitt (W) — This is Duke’s upset of the season. The Panthers lack the talented dominant pass rush presence this fall. In addition, Pitt does not have an offense or running game, which should trouble Duke that much. That the many toss-up games on Duke’s schedule, this one comes down to the offensive line. The offensive line has to play well for Duke to win this game.
• Game 10: at Virginia Tech (W) — The Hokies come into this season in disarray. Head coach Justin Fuente has not recruited very well, and the Hokies are unsettled at quarterback. Last season, their best players, Khalil Herbert, Quincy Patterson, and Hendon Hooker, are in the NFL or transferred out. Don’t expect Virginia Tech to run for over 300 yards against Duke like they did last season.
• Game 11: Louisville (W) — The Cardinals lost too much NFL talent this offseason. Who is the playmaker on this offense without Javian Hawkins and Chatarius “Tutu” Atwell? Louisville’s defense was not very good last season and won’t be that great this season either. Duke might win this by a couple of possessions.
• Game 12: Miami (L) — The Hurricanes could very well lose this game. Miami does not have the best reputation in games against inferior opponents at noon. Duke does not have the greatest fan attendance in the world either. However, the Hurricanes might be in a must-win situation with this game, depending on how their season turns out. Quarterback D’Eriq King ensures the ‘Canes are ready for this one.

Final record: 6-6, 3-5 ACC

Don’t be fooled by the prediction. Duke has the talent to be an eight-win team. Its lack of depth and questions along the offensive line could make them a two-win team again. The turnover issues will improve this fall, but if the Blue Devils cannot stay healthy this year, Cutcliffe could be on the hot seat by the season’s end.