Elon @ Duke preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2010 ) Elon University 27, Duke 41

After winning a program-record 10 games and capturing its first ACC division title, what can previously lowly Duke do for an encore? Despite the upward arc of the program under David Cutcliffe, who won his second straight ACC Coach of the Year award, the formula might be difficult to duplicate after the Blue Devils lost some key players via transfer, suspension and injury. Saturday's season opener against FCS foe Elon is an excellent chance for Duke to start its season in the right direction.

In openers against ACC schools the last two seasons, FCS Elon has been outscored 132-0, but the Phoenix figure to be tougher to shut out this time under new head coach Rich Skrosky, who arrives with impressive credentials as an offensive coordinator. It also will be Elon’s debut as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. In the CAA preseason poll, the former Southern Conference school is predicted to finish last, no surprise for a team coming off its worst season in 11 years (2-10).

TV: 6 p.m., ET, ESPN3. LINE: Duke -33

ABOUT ELON (2013: 2-10): This will be a challenging season for Elon as it steps up a notch from the Southern Conference to the CAA: Teams on the Phoenix schedule went 88-52 (.629) last year. Elon returns starting QB Mike Quinn and two of his top three receivers - Andre Davis (42 receptions, 460 yards) and Kierre Brown (50 receptions, 448 yards), who was named last season’s MVP and a multi-dimensional threat who averaged 24.2 yards per kickoff return and 21.8 yards per punt return. Elon’s top three tacklers from last season, linebackers Jonathan Spain (84), John Silas (71) and Alexander Dawson (70), are back to lead the defense.

ABOUT DUKE (2013: 10-4): The Blue Devils return offensive playmakers in quarterback Anthony Boone (13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions), wide receiver Jamison Crowder (108 receptions, 1,360 yards, eight touchdowns) and running back Josh Snead (107 carries, 651 yards). But the offense won’t have near the flexibility after the loss of tight end and second-leading receiver Braxton Deaver (torn ACL), valuable backup quarterback Brandon Connette (transfer to Fresno) and second-leading rusher Jela Duncan (academic suspension). The loss of All-ACC middle linebacker Kelby Brown (torn ACL) will have a ripple effect on a talent-challenged defense which struggled to generate pressure in 2013.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Duke outscored Elon 41-27 in the last meeting in 2010 with Snead scoring a touchdown in his first college game.

2. In the series between the schools, which are located 40 miles apart, Duke has a 6-0-1 record with five shutouts, all before 1927.

3. Duke is 10-2 with Boone as its starting quarterback, including a 7-0 mark in ACC regular-season games.

PREDICTION: Duke 41, Elon 14