Duke @ Tulane preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2014 ) Tulane 13, Duke 47

Duke is making itself into an offensive power under head coach David Cutcliffe, and the Blue Devils plan on taking another step forward in 2015. Duke will try to get off to a strong start when it visits Tulane in the season opener on Thursday.

The Blue Devils are replacing the starting quarterback, top receiver and a pair of offensive lineman but don’t plan on any drop off after watching the team post the two highest point totals in program history the last two seasons. “For the fans, it will seem like a new quarterback, but for us on the team we have been working with him in practice for the last three years,” senior wide receiver Max McCaffrey told the GoDuke.com. “With his height, (Thomas) Sirk can see the field really well, and he is an excellent runner, which will cause the defense some problems, which hopefully will translate into more open lanes to throw the ball.” The Green Wave are hoping for more consistency at the quarterback position under returning starter Tanner Lee, who is one of nine returning starters on that side of the ball. Lee threw a trio of interceptions and was 14-of-35 passing when Tulane was crushed 47-13 at Duke last season.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Duke -7.5

ABOUT DUKE (2014: 9-4): Sirk served mostly as a change-of-pace quarterback helping the rushing game last season, and ran for 94 yards and a score in the rout of the Green Wave last season. The Blue Devils have averaged over 30 points in each of the last three seasons and are one of only two ACC teams (along with Florida State) to post at least 20 TDs rushing and 20 TDs passing in each of the past two campaigns. “The games we have won over the past three seasons have made it so we know that we can win every game that we play this year,” McCaffrey told GoDuke.com “Our goals aren’t to win enough games to make a bowl game, but to win every game we play, win an ACC title and a bowl game. We can beat these teams. We won’t be run over by anyone.”

ABOUT TULANE (2014: 3-9): The Green Wave return 90 percent of their rushing yards from last season and add fifth-year senior Rob Kelley, who sat out all of 2014 due to a team suspension, to that rushing attack. “It’s all about perseverance,” Tulane coach Curtis Johnson told the New Orleans Advocate. “Rob’s a tough guy, which comes from his daddy being as tough as nails. He wasn’t going to let Rob quit. What Rob’s done -- getting his degree and coming back on the team -- shows me what kind of person Rob is.” Kelley also provides some experience on a team that boasts 64 underclassmen.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Green Wave sophomore DE Luke Jackson is expected to play after completing cancer treatments.

2. The Blue Devils have won 10 straight regular-season games against non-conference foes.

3. Duke totaled 19 wins over the previous two seasons – the best two-year stretch in school history.

PREDICTION: Duke 28, Tulane 17