Blue Devils entering must-win game Saturday against North Carolina A&T
The Duke Football team will host North Carolina A&T in its home opener on Saturday evening and the Blue Devil must find a way to get a win.
Duke is coming off of a blowout loss against the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide in which the Blue Devils should not be down on themselves.
The two teams were tied after the first quarter and Duke only trailed 14-3 at halftime, and it could have been closer.
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Duke had the ball inside of the Alabama 10-yard line in the first quarter and could not capitalize after failing to convert on a 4th & 1.
The Blue Devils were then driving down the field right before halftime but had to settle for a field goal as time was expiring in the first half.
Alabama bull-rushed Duke in the second half to win the game easily but the Blue Devils came out of halftime and started to move the ball into Alabama territory before Duke once again could not convert on a 4th & short scenario.
The next opponent is the FCS powerhouse North Carolina A&T Aggies.
North Carolina A&T is 1-0 on the season with a win over Elon and head coach Sam Washington is looking for the major upset in Durham on Saturday evening.
While the Aggies have playmakers all over its offense with the likes of quarterback Kylil Carter, wide receiver Elijah Bell, and running back Jah-Maine Martin this is an early season must-win for the Blue Devils if they hope to be bowl eligible once again this season.
Duke has a brutal schedule this season with non-conference games against Alabama, Notre Dame, North Carolina A&T, and on the road against Middle Tennessee and David Cutcliffe‘s team must stack all the wins they can get.
The Blue Devils may have the superior talent but North Carolina A&T will not role over. The Aggies will fight to the final whistle and Duke must be up for the challenge.
Expect the Duke offense to find its footing since it will not be up against one of the best defenses in the country. The Blue Devils are at its best when the combination of Quentin Harris, Deon Jackson, and Brittain Brown are running north and south, opening up the play-action passing game.
PREDICTION: Duke 31, North Carolina A&T 17