Duke football: 2020 season preview, predictions included
By Riley Platt
Duke football season preview: GAMES 5-6
The Wolfpack may be coming off of a rough 4-8 season, but you should never count out a squad led by Dave Doeren. This could very well be another down year in Raleigh, but this could still be a difficult matchup for the Blue Devils.
Redshirt sophomore Devin Leary looks to be Doeren’s guy at QB after assuming the role late last year. He struggled with completing passes and poor decision making, things that a hungry Duke defense could exploit. Running back Zonovan Knight was one of the few bright spots last year, and NC State will need him to have a great year.
Ultimately, this should be a winnable game for Duke. In addition to bolstering each record, there are bragging rights on the line as these Triangle rivals duel at Carter-Finley Stadium. Look for a competitive battle that Duke will pull away with late.
Final Score: Duke 34, NC State 24
The adjusted ACC schedule allowed one non-conference opponent, and Duke stuck with Charlotte out of Conference USA. This is a young program, but the 49ers have done a solid job in their short time in the FBS.
If there’s one game on the slate that the Blue Devils should get a win, it’s this one. However, they will still have to fight to secure a win against this smaller-conference opponent. This is a program coming off of a bowl appearance, and it doesn’t look to slow down any.
The 49ers lose star running back Benny Lemay, leaving a stronger dependence on the passing game. This is something that Duke’s secondary should take care of, inhibiting Charlotte’s offensive ability. This game could be close in the first half, but the Blue Devils will likely stretch it out later in the game.
Final Score: Duke 45, Charlotte 20