2021 Game Previews – NCA&T

Duke returns to action Friday night to play North Carolina A&T at 8pm at Wallace Wade. This is a must-win for the Blue Devils in every respect. Duke inexplicably lost to Charlotte last week and cannot, repeat, cannot afford another loss. A bowl game was always going to be tricky for the Blue Devils this season and a loss to Charlotte made the difficult even more so.

What should we expect from Duke this week? I’m not sure. Losing to Charlotte is embarrassing. There’s no way around it. And it’s hard to comprehend how this team could go out and lose to a team that they resoundingly beat last season. Because of the nature of this loss, fans are upset – but who cares about us? Really, we’re not that important when it comes to making a difference on the field and we should remember that when we interact with players on Twitter and social media. That said, alums are upset – that’s significant because alums can force change at the top. Former football players are very, very upset – and that’s also significant. Given that Cut is nearing the end of his current contract, what the former players have to say will be important when it comes to the decision Nina King will ultimately have to make.

I hope that the team is more upset than the fans, alums and former players. And I hope that they demonstrate that against A&T by playing extremely physical and disciplined football. The margin of victory isn’t important to me – whether this team comes out focused and seeks to win every play and every down. How physical this team plays will be telling as far as what we can expect from this team going forward. The defense can’t give up 218 yards on a total of 6 plays. That just can’t happen.

If this team comes out, makes plays, shows leadership and plays physical football, we can be cautiously optimistic heading into Week 3 against Northwestern. If this team comes out and coasts, it’ll be a long season. I’m hoping this team gets the message, is humbled by an embarrassing loss and comes out focused and determined this week and every other week.

But it will take more than just that. The coaches will have to pull players who aren’t being focused, aren’t showing leadership, aren’t being disciplined and aren’t where they are supposed to be doing what they’re supposed to do as well as they can do it. The staff will have to end the “it’s your turn to play” approach and bench people who aren’t productive. Loyalty is nothing without accountability and both the players and coaches have to demand it.

Go Duke!