2021 Game Previews – Duke faces Kansas

It’s hard to believe, but Duke is on a winning streak. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, our Blue Devils have won two straight games. With a 1-2 Kansas Jayhawks football team coming to town, Duke has a chance to get to 3-1.

For this week’s preview, here are four things the Blue Devils have going for them heading into this game:

1. While Duke hasn’t put together a complete game yet, Kansas is reeling right now. The Jayhawks skated past South Dakota in Week 1 and followed it up with two losses against Coastal Carolina (49-22) and Baylor (45-7). Losing becomes contagious and, given the circumstances surrounding Les Miles leaving, the program is in a state of uncertainty. That’s never a good thing.
2. The Blue Devils have two really, really good running backs that can control the game. Given that Kansas has given up over 200 yards rushing in each of the last two weeks, expect Mataeo Durant and Jordan Waters to get lots of touches. And if Durant and Waters are carrying the ball a lot, expect Gunnar to do what he does best – make plays to keep drives going. Gunnar is currently completing 71% of his passes and coming through in the clutch (like that great pass to Eli Pancol last week – it must be The Wolitzer Group connection!). When you go heavy on the run, you need a quarterback to do what Gunnar has done all season – convert passes on third down to keep the drive alive. Between Gunnar and the running game, you have to like Duke’s chances.
3. Moving to the defensive side of the ball, the Blue Devils are coming off their best game of the season. Duke forced five turnovers and picked up two sacks. The defensive line looked much improved and all signs indicate that it will continue next week against a team that only managed 57 passing yards against Baylor.
4. Finally, the kicking teams continues to play well. I see no reason that won’t continue. We have a really, really good kicking teams unit. Expect that unit to keep us in a lot of games this season.

Despite all the positives, there are some things that we need to be worried about. Those things are:

1. Kansas has a mobile QB. Duke is susceptible to running quarterbacks, as was established by the fact that Northwestern’s backup almost brought the team back from a 30-0 deficit. So, yeah, I’m a little worried about that. If the defensive line doesn’t maintain coverage, doesn’t stay gap disciplined and tries to make a big play on every down as opposed to making a play, it could be a long day.
2. No one is expecting Kansas to win. The Jayhawks have nothing to lose in this game. All the pressure is on the Blue Devils. With a big rivalry game coming next week, this could turn into the proverbial trap game for Duke.

Concerns aside, I don’t think that Gunnar, Jake and Mataeo will overlook this game. Expect the Blue Devils offense to do whatever it takes to win this game. Further, DeWayne Carter, Ben Frye, Josh Blackwell, Lummie Young and the rest of the defense will come out ready to prove that the Northwestern game wasn’t a fluke. I like Duke in this game. And I can’t wait to be in Section 24, Row C cheering for the Blue Devils. If you’re at the game, please stop by. It’d be great to meet you guys.

Tell me what you think in the comments or on Twitter.

Go Duke!