Carolina opponent preview: Duke

Saturday, Oct. 26 (TBA), Kenan Stadium

2018 result: 8-5 (3-5 ACC), beat Temple 56-27 in Independence Bowl.

Last meeting: Duke 42, Carolina 35 (Nov. 10, 2018).

All-time series: Carolina, 59-41-4.

Head coach: David Cutcliffe, 12th season. (67-72 overall; 31-57 ACC).

ACC preseason poll: Fifth, Coastal.

Key losses: QB Daniel Jones, WR T.J. Rahming, WR Johnathan Lloyd, WR Chris Taylor, TE Daniel Helm, TE Davis Koppenhaver, LG Zach Harmon, LT Christian Harris, LB Joe Giles-Harris, LB Ben Humphreys, CB Brandon Feamster, S Jeremy McDuffie.

Key returners: QB Quentin Harris, RB Deon Jackson, RB Brittain Brown, WR Aaron Young, TE Noah Gray, LG Julian Santos, C Jack Wohlabaugh, RG Rakavius Chambers, RT Robert Kraeling, DT Trevon McSwain, DE Victor Dimukeje, DT Derrick Tangelo, LB Koby Quansah, CB Mark Gilbert, CB Josh Blackwell, S Dylan Singleton, S Marquis Waters.

Top newcomers: RT Jacob Monk, WR Jacob Calhoun, WR Eli Pancol, CB Tony Davis,

Getting to know the Blue Devils, quickly

Duke has perhaps the most exciting player in the NFL preseason to this point, with Daniel Jones lighting it up for the New York Giants. End times?
This, of course, means that Jones is no longer taking snaps for Duke. Based on what Cutcliffe has said about the transition, Quentin Harris might be able to pick up right where Jones left off.
Talented and poised as Harris might be, he's lacking help at receiver as Duke's leading returner at the position is Jake Bobo, who caught 10 passes for 167 yards last season.
Jackson, however, could be one of the nation's most versatile weapons after picking up more than 1,600 all-purpose yards last season.
The offensive line has been iffy at best in recent years, finishing 78th nationally in sacks allowed last season. Three starters return, but the left side of the line is being rebuilt.
The strength of the defense is up front and at corner, with former All-American Mark Gilbert back in the secondary.
Having questions in the middle of the defense isn't exactly ideal for a scheme that's built on keeping players in the box and getting speedy safeties and linebackers to the ball.
This will be Mack Brown's first time to right the ship locally, as Carolina has lost a combined six straight to Duke and N.C. State.
This is all assuming that Alabama doesn't completely dismantle the program in its first game since getting walloped in the national championship game. The Wrath of Saban will be real.

In conclusion...

Duke's talent has certainly improved in recent years, but the Blue Devils are exceptionally young in a few key spots in 2019.

In any other season, they'd be a comfortable choice as a bowl team, but with nonconference games against Alabama and Notre Dame plus a crossover matchup with Syracuse, it'll be an awfully tough road.

Then again, Cutcliffe has proven you can never count his team out.

What would a win mean for Carolina?

Brown has made no secret of his desire to beat his Big Four rivals and win a mythical state championship.

Not only does this win take another step in that direction, but it also sends a message in recruiting as the Blue Devils have stepped up their ability to land talent in recent years.

A victory here truly sets the tone for the new regime, especially in light of Larry Fedora's struggles vs. in-state rivals and his attitude that it was just another game.

What would a loss mean for Carolina?

This would mark a fourth straight loss to Duke for the first time since the Blue Devils won seven straight since 1950-56. The Tar Heels have owned this series in the modern era, and in taking back in-state recruiting, every victory matters.

It's going to be awfully hard for Carolina to get to a bowl game without this win.

Neat college football thing

Cutcliffe seems to be one of the few people to transcend rivalries, earning respect from nearly every fanbase.

Before his arrival in Durham, Duke had been to eight bowl games all-time and won more than four games in a season just twice in the past 20 years. Since 2012, the Blue Devils have played in six bowl games, winning three, and had one season with fewer than six wins.

Whenever Cutcliffe, 64, hangs it up, he'll immediately have a statue in Durham and should end up in the College Football Hall of Fame.

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