2011 Duke Blue Devils Football Predictions, Odds, Picks and Schedule – 2011 Duke NCAA Football Preview

2011 Duke Blue Devils College Football Expert Predictions, Picks, Vegas Odds and Schedule – Duke NCAA Football Preview: The last time the Duke football program played in a bowl game was 1994. In the years since, the Blue Devils have at times been one of the worst teams in the nation. David Cutcliffe is trying to change that, and his 15-24 record through three years as coach makes him one of the more successful leaders in program history. That being said, Duke went just 3-7 last season and life in the basement of the ACC is still the norm. Year in and year out, the Blue Devils are simply overmatched physically, and that isn’t like to change in 2011-12.

On the bright side, the Blue Devils passing attack will likely be one of the best in the conference. First-year signal caller Sean Renfree topped 3,000 yards last season, guiding Duke to the 22nd-best passing offense in the nation. Finishing off drives was as issue as he managed just 14 touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions, but another year of experience should help in that area. It also helps that Renfree’s two top targets return as well. Receivers Conner Vernon and Donovan Varner both topped 700 yards last season, combining for 133 catches.

Despite the aerial assault, the running game has been unable to come to the party. The ground attack will likely be lackluster again, especially with only two returning starters in the mix. Duke isn’t known for dominant front line to begin with, and breaking in new starters will only add to the problems. When the ball is handed off, junior Desmond Scott will get a majority of the carries.

Inexperience is also an issue for the Blue Devils on defense where underclassman and new starters make up a majority of the unit. Last year, Duke was gashed by opponents on the ground, giving up more than 200 yards per game. Plain and simple, the Blue Devils were overwhelmed up front. The secondary figures to be the team’s strength, but opponents didn’t have to pass the ball to beat Duke last season and probably won’t have to this year either.

Early in the year, games against Richmond Florida International and Tulane should give the Blue Devils a chance to get a couple in the win column. However, the first five games of the season also include a home game against Stanford and a road game against Boston College. Following a bye week, Duke must face conference heavy weights Florida State and Virginia Tech in the span of three weeks. While the competition lightens up from there, Duke must play three of its final four games of the year. For a different team, Duke’s schedule would be considered favorable. However, these are the Blue Devils.

At the end of the day, the same talent gap that has existed at Duke for the last decade and a half is still a problem. Granted, the gap has closed tremendously under Cutcliffe, but the Blue Devils are still overmatched on a regular basis. The passing attack should actually be fun to watch this season, but expect opponents to beat them up along the front lines on both sides of the ball. A bowl game would be a major surprise, but a couple of conference wins and a better record than a year ago aren’t out of the question.  

2011 Duke Blue Devils College Football Predictions: 4-8 Record

Preseason 2011 Duke Blue Devils NCAA Football Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS Championship: NA/Off the Board
Odds to Win 2011 ACC Championship: +15000
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2011 Duke Blue Devils College Football Schedule
Sat, Sep 3 Richmond 7:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 10 Stanford 3:30 pm —
Sat, Sep 17 at Boston College 12:30 pm —
Sat, Sep 24 Tulane TBA —
Sat, Oct 1 at FIU 6:00 pm —
Sat, Oct 15 Florida State TBA —
Sat, Oct 22 Wake Forest TBA —
Sat, Oct 29 Virginia Tech TBA —
Sat, Nov 5 at Miami (FL) TBA —
Sat, Nov 12 at Virginia TBA —
Sat, Nov 19 Georgia Tech TBA —
Sat, Nov 26 at North Carolina TBA —

Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 College Football Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions and 2011 ACC Football Odds and Predictions articles.

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