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One of the surprise teams in all of college football last year were the Duke Blue Devils from the ACC. The Blue Devils went 10-4 in 2013 and were on the verge of upsetting Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. The Blue Devils let a double digit lead slip away in the second half against Texas A&M in what would have been a program defining type of win over the Aggies from the SEC.

As we turn the page to 2014 for Duke the issue of being the hunted instead of the hunter will be a big adjustment for the entire program. The Blue Devils return eight starters on offense and could possibly be even better this year because of that experience.

Duke returns senior starting quarterback Anthony Boone. Boone threw for 2,260 yards last year and was a 64 percent passer. He will look to improve on those numbers in 2014 thanks to a veteran led receiving core that will be returning. The offensive improvement Duke has experienced over the past several seasons has been nothing short of incredible, but now they must learn to deal with success.

Duke lost offensive coordinator and quarterbacks’ coach Kurt Roper off of last year’s team. Roper was hired by the Florida Gators in the offseason to help improve a horrible Florida offense. The loss will be felt by Duke because of all the hard work he put into this offense and how he helped improve Boone’s game over the past couple seasons.

The loss of Roper will be tough, but the engine that has got Duke’s football program back on track is the mastermind that is Head Coach David Cutcliffe. Cutcliffe has been well documented for his time working with great quarterbacks like Eli Manning and Peyton Manning. Cutcliffe has now done what seemed to be the impossible and turned Duke football into a respectable team on the national stage.

The 2014 season will be a challenge as I mentioned earlier because Duke will now be on everyone’s radar and not a sleeper team on opposing team’s schedules. The challenge to maintain success has been said to be harder than reaching success and Duke is about to find out if that is true first hand.

We will take a look at the 2014 Duke schedule and go game by game predicting how they will do in each of their 12 regular season games. Last year was magical for Duke as they made it all the way to the ACC Championship Game, but how will they follow up that great season is to be determined.

August 30- Elon @ Duke Blue Devils- Duke Blue Devils win 38-10

September 6- Duke Blue Devils @ Troy Trojans- Duke Blue Devils win 34-27

September 13- Kansas Jayhawks @ Duke Blue Devils- Duke Blue Devils win 31-17

September 20- Tulane Green Wave @ Duke Blue Devils- Duke Blue Devils win 35-21

September 27- Duke Blue Devils @ Miami Hurricanes- Miami Hurricanes win 38-21

October 4- Bye Week

October 11- Duke Blue Devils @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets win 41-27

October 18- Virginia Cavaliers @ Duke Blue Devils- Duke Blue Devils win 31-23

October 25- Bye Week

November 1- Duke Blue Devils @ Pittsburgh Panthers- Pittsburgh Panthers win 31-21

November 8- Duke Blue Devils @ Syracuse Orange- Duke Blue Devils win 28-24

November 15- Virginia Tech Hokies @ Duke Blue Devils- Virginia Tech Hokies win 27-13

November 20- North Carolina Tar Heels @ Duke Blue Devils- North Carolina Tar Heels win 34-24

November 29- Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ Duke Blue Devils- Duke Blue Devils win 38-20

After examining the 2014 Duke Blue Devils’ schedule, I have them finishing the regular season with a record of 7-5. This year’s schedule for Duke is much tougher than last year and I believe the idea of being the hunted instead of the hunter will be a tough challenge for Duke.

I feel if Duke were able to finish 7-5 that would be a successful 2014 season following how they did last year. Yes, it would be a decrease in the win column by three, but considering where this football program has came the past five years this is certainly a successful run for Duke.

Head Coach Cutcliffe has been doing very well on the recruiting trails and it is showing by their success in the past few seasons. He will continue to make Duke a school that will be proud of not only their basketball team, but their football team as well.

2014 will be a down season in comparison to 2013, but overall still a great season in Durham. They just have to keep recruiting well and success will continue to follow Coach Cutcliffe and this Duke program. So, we have them finishing 2014 at 7-5 and making a bowl game for a third consecutive year. Duke is still on the rise and 2014 will be another step in the right direction for the Blue Devils.

No one said this would be easy. The Gator renovation is still underway. But to say this team belongs to Will Muschamp would be a lie. This team, this offense belongs to Kurt Roper. Can Roper do what he did at Duke – change the offense into a high-powered machine – in Gainesville, where the offense has not been on fire since some guy named Tebow?

The schedule is easy at the beginning, wicked in the middle and daunting at the end. Here is how I predict the season will unravel for the Florida Gators.

Sat, Aug 30 vs. IDAHO

The Vandals come to town to kick off the 2014 season. After being abused last season as one of the worst in the land, can this team recover from traveling across country to beat a hungry Florida team? Not likely. Gators roll, 54-10.

Sat, Sept 6 vs. EASTERN MICHIGAN

Another cream puff on the Gators schedule. The offense and defense dominate and prepare for their SEC schedule. Gators easily, 43-6.

Sat, Sept 13 vs. KENTUCKY

The start of the SEC schedule has the Gators facing Kentucky in a game usually set for the end of the season. Florida has Alabama on the horizon, but remains focused on the game this week and wins, but not as easily as you would think. Florida, 31-20.

Sat, Sept 20 @ ALABAMA

We aren’t even going to sugar coat this one. Alabama is the better team. The Gators must travel and the defense puts up a good fight for one half. In the end, the running game of TJ Yeldon and Derrick Henry proves to be too much. Roll Tide, 28-17.

Sat, Oct 4 @ TENNESSEE

This is one of those games that will either make or break the Gators’ season. Tennessee is considered one of the rising teams in the SEC, so it would not surprise me if they win. It also will not surprise me if they lose. Overall, I think Florida has more talent. Florida, 18-14.

Sat, Oct 11 vs. LSU

The great thing about this game will have played more than half a season and everyone is raving about Leonard Fournette. The Gators passing game torches the Tigers’ defense, but in the end, the running game for the Tigers is better. LSU, 20-17.

Sat, Oct 18 vs. MISSOURI

There is something about this game that leaves me a little on edge. Maty Mauck and the Tigers come to town in a HUGE SEC game. Florida has two losses – both to SEC teams. I give the Gators the edge this time at home in SEC play. Gators, 24-14.

Sat, Nov 1 vs.  GEORGIA* (In Jacksonville)

Believe it or not, this is the game that could cost Will Muschamp his job. Nothing is more important to the alumni than beating Georgia and FSU. The Bulldogs are better than last season and will challenge for an SEC title, but I like the upset special. Florida, 31-30.

Sat, Nov 8 @ VANDERBILT

Revenge game! Last year, the Gators lost to Vanderbilt. YES, lost. This season will be different. No James Franklin and a confident Jeff Driskel running on all cylinders. Florida and Muschamp run the score up a bit for good measure. Gators, 45-3.

Sat, Nov 15 vs. SOUTH CAROLINA

No Jadeveon Clowney. No Connor Shaw. But there is Steve Spurrier, Mike Davis and Dylan Thompson. Funny how the fates take a turn. South Carolina is in Gainesville and can spoil the Gators dreams. This time, he comes crashing down on the Florida faithful.  Gamecocks, 19-17.

Sat, Nov 22 vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY

Seriously? The Gators will be mad as hell, just losing their third SEC game of the season and looking at the Music City Bowl. Eastern Kentucky is just the right elixir for a loss to a rival like Spurrier. Gators pile it on for three quarters, then let the scout team play. Florida wins, 56-7.

Sat, Nov 29 @ FLORIDA STATE

This is a huge game, but in reality, the Gator Nation knows playing in Tallahassee with the best team in the country is a tough task to handle. Every time these teams get together, it gets ugly. This year, FSU is just a bit prettier, winning at home Florida turns a 4-8 season last year into 8-4 this season. FSU, 34-28.