The Blue Devils think they have a bowl team this year, but they were picked to finish last in the Coastal Division. Duke has improved its talent level, but so have the other teams in the Coastal. If the Blue Devils get a few breaks in their non-conference games, both predictions might end up being correct.

It all starts: Duke's first day of practice is Monday, Aug. 6. Fans can see the team at Meet the Blue Devils on Aug. 18. Duke has three scrimmages scheduled: Aug 13, 17 and 21.

Three questions to answer in camp:

  1. Will the team be ready to play? WR Blair Holliday suffered severe head injuries in a jet ski crash while at a July 4th celebration with teammates. The incident will clearly have the team on an emotional roller coaster, particularly WR Jamison Crowder, who collided with him. Coach David Cutcliffe is confident that Crowder and the rest of the team will be able to focus once camp opens. “He’s going to be fine,” Cutcliffe said of Crowder.
  2. Who’s going to play tight end? The Blue Devils knew they had to replace Cooper Helfet, who was a senior in 2011, but they thought sophomore Braxton Deaver was the man for the job. Deaver fractured his left kneecap in early July. Freshman David Reeves and Sophomore Issac Blakeney are talented, but they’ll have to learn on the job. “It’s a position where we don’t have a player that has any experience. It’s the most talented group of tight ends we’ve had at Duke. If Deaver was still there, it’d be the most talented we’ve had anywhere,” Cutcliffe said.
  3. What does the offense have planned? Cutcliffe has never been shy about experimenting on offense. The team goes for it on fourth down and shuffles quarterbacks in and out, depending on the situation. Senior Sean Renfree will start under center, but Brandon Connette and Anthony Boone are mobile quarterbacks who will see the field in a variety of new schemes. “We’ll use them in different roles, at other positions, but they can go from those positions to quarterback in a flash, sometimes within a play,” Cutcliffe said. “A lot of fun can be had in that regard, and I think I’ve said enough.”

Player who needs to step up: Junior LB Kelby Brown is a steady, productive linebacker and defensive leader, when he’s on the field. Brown has battled injuries throughout his Duke career. He missed his second straight spring practice after having his second ACL surgery in as many years. The team isn’t sure if he’ll be able to play this season. Brown and the Blue Devils will find out in the preseason.

Potential breakout player: Senior DE Kenny Anunike had four sacks in his first three games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Anunike missed all of the 2008 season with a knee injury, and the NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility during the offseason. “He’s had more adversity than any player I’ve been around, but his spirit has never wavered," Cutcliffe said. "He is intense, and I just know he’s going to stay healthy this year and have a great season."

No ad available

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.