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Early Prediction of 2016 Season Win-Loss Record for Duke Football

By Chris Brown

Nov 28, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Parker Boehme looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Parker Boehme looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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College football expert releases ACC record predictions and projects Duke Football will have a down year this upcoming season.

Bleacher Report college football columnist Greg Wallace recently released his 2016 predictions for the win-loss record of every team in the ACC. While the Duke football program is currently in one of their best stretches in school history appearing in 4 straight bowl games and going 27-13 the past three seasons, Wallace expects the Blue Devils will have a down season in the fall and finish with a 5-7 record.

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The main reason he believes Duke will struggle next season is because of redshirt senior QB Thomas Sirk health. Sirk ruptured his Achilles tendon earlier in the spring and it’s uncertain when he will be able to return. Even if the 6-4 quarterback is healthy for the season opener, he probably won’t have the same explosiveness and speed that helped him lead the team in rushing last season.

Wallace believes back-up QB Parker Boehme will have to lead the offense next season. The Blue Devils will have a tougher schedule playing at Northwestern and Notre Dame in addition to conference road games at Louisville, Georgia Tech, Pitt, and Miami. Duke will also be losing several key pieces such as ACC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American safety Jeremy Cash, All-American center Matt Skura, and more. A 5-7 finish for the Blue Devils also doesn’t rule them out for the postseason, with several 5-7 teams advancing to bowl games last year with losing records.

Even if Boehme is the starter, Duke should hopefully will still be able to surpass 5 wins next season and make it to their fifth straight bowl game. The Blue Devils will return 14 starters from last season in addition to adding depth by bringing one of the top recruiting classes in program history. Boehme showed flashes of how good he can be in limited time last year when Sirk was out, and the offense will most likely be led by the rushing attack of Jela Duncan and Shaun Wilson who can potentially be one of the top running back duos in the ACC this season in addition to talented wide receivers Anthony Nash, TJ Rahming, and Chris Taylor.

Next: Duke Football Projections in March Madness Bracket

The defense will also have numerous weapons despite Cash’s departure, and will be led by a very experienced secondary with seniors safety DeVon Edwards, cornerback Breon Borders, safety Deondre Singleton, and junior Bryon Fields returning from injury after missing last season. Several players will also benefit from gaining experience last season filling in due to various injuries, and fans should see a much improved linebacker and defensive line corps this season.

Duke Football will kick of the 2016 season with the Bull City Gridiron Classic against Durham opponent North Carolina Central University on September 3rd. Be sure to check out the Blue Devils this year coming off a dramatic Pinstripe Bowl victory last postseason and stay tuned to Ball Durham for all of your Duke Football offseason news and updates.

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