Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1282481
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2020 47 In four straight season openers from 2012-15, Notre Dame tallied two touchdowns in the first quarter — and did so again a third straight year at Louisville in 2019, marking the seventh time it achieved the feat in the last eight years. The one time the Irish didn't was the 50-47 double overtime loss at Texas in 2016, which again was a strong showing on offense. Furthermore, in the seven openers since 2013, Notre Dame committed a total of only three turnovers, one apiece in each of the last three sea- sons. The latter is particularly notable because whereas the 2019 Fighting Irish defense finished fourth among 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in turnovers forced with 28, Duke's offense was 127th in turnovers com- mitted — also 28. Despite a tremendous track record on offense throughout his career, Blue Devils head coach David Cut- cliffe had one of the most anemic at- tacks in the country last season. This included averaging only 16.6 points per contest over the final six games and ranking 115th in third-down conversions (33.2 percent) all year. Most glaring about the 2019 Duke offense was how bereft of speed and explosiveness it was. Thus, 13th-year head coach Cut- cliffe is taking over the play-calling duties, and his newly hired line coach Greg Frey — previously of Florida State, Michigan and Indiana — is ex- pected to benefit from four starters returning for his position group. BOUNCING BACK Last year, Duke collapsed to a 1-5 finish, among them a 38-7 loss at home to Notre Dame and a 49-6 em- barrassment at home to Syracuse. It was only the second time since 2013 the Blue Devils finished under .500 (5-7). The other was the 4-8 led- ger in 2016 — when it still shocked the Irish in Notre Dame Stadium (38-35), leading to the firing the next day of defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. The 65-year-old David Cutcliffe is the consummate example of resource- fulness and overachieving, as found in the biblical Parable of Talents. In the 13 years from 1995-2007, Duke was 22-125 — a .1497 winning percentage, including 0-11 seasons in 2000 and 2001, and 0-12 in 2006. It was easily the worst Power Five con- ference team among the current 65. In the 13 years since Cutcliffe's hir- ing as head coach, the Blue Devils are 72-79 — a .477 winning percent- age, highlighted by the 2013 Coastal Division title. After the 4-8 collapse in 2016, Cut- cliffe directed consecutive bowl wins the next two seasons for the first time in the program's history. Another comeback in 2020 won't be easy, with BlueandGold.com giv- ing Duke the lowest difficulty rank- ing among Notre Dame's 10 ACC foes. Irish fans lament the lack of top-10 finishes in recent recruiting ranks, but Duke's rating by Rivals the past four years from 2017-20 were No. 46, No. 65, No. 48 and No. 61. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: DUKE Head coach David Cutcliffe has dramatically improved the program since taking over at Duke 13 years ago, bringing in talented players such as senior defensive end Victor Dimukeje (above), but the Blue Devils still struggle to match the talent level of programs like Notre Dame. PHOTO COURTESY DUKE ATHLETICS Predictions Todd Burlage: Notre Dame 30, Duke 7 With many holes to fill on a Duke offense that floundered in 2019, the loss of spring practice and full-team summer workouts be- cause of COVID-19 will have a much greater negative impact on the Blue Devils than the Irish with a third-year starting quarterback and a veteran line. Patrick Engel: Notre Dame 41, Duke 13 Even if Duke's offense jumps from the bot- tom of several FBS statistical categories, it'll be hard-pressed to keep up with Notre Dame. The Irish offense failing to score at least four touchdowns would be a surprise. Andrew Mentock: Notre Dame 42, Duke 10 Despite the addition of quarterback Chase Brice, a graduate transfer from Clemson, it's hard to see the Blue Devil offense producing much more than it did during the 38-7 loss to Notre Dame in 2019. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 28, Duke 10 With such a weird offseason and August training camp, this game will be sloppy, but Notre Dame will still win comfortably. The Blue Devils just don't have the horses to run with the Irish. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 31, Duke 14 The 2019 Blue Devils laid an egg against the Fighting Irish and were clearly outmatched in every phase of the game during a 38-7 loss. They will be more competitive this time but lack the overall firepower to pull off an upset.