The Offensive Line Is Going To Be The Key To Duke's Success In 2017

After being bowl eligible four straight seasons under David Cutcliffe last season Duke finished with a record of 4-8 1-7 in the ACC and missed having a chance to go to a bowl for the fifth straight season. 

So what is the key for Duke to be able to succeed this season?

  Football games are won or lost in the trenches. Cliche? Perhaps. Perhaps not. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

No one who knows football will dismiss the importance of skill position players; however, it is the big guys up front who set the tone for the game. When an offensive line controls the line of scrimmage they give their team an advantage which cannot be overstated. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

Duke has a nice mix of experienced upperclassmen and talented youngsters on the roster. The 17 scholarship offensive linemen include seven redshirt seniors or juniors and seven redshirt or true freshmen. The youngsters, players such as redshirt freshmen Robert Kraeling (6'7" 300) and Jaylen Miller (6'3" 305), will push the upperclassmen for playing time. There are going to be legitimate battles along the offensive line for spots on both the two deep roster and the starting lineup." according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

Last season Julian Santos (6'3" 305) became the first true freshmen offensive lineman to play in the Coach Cutcliffe era. Will another true freshman play in 2017?" according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

Probably not, but Jacob Rimmer (6'7" 300) and Rakavius Chambers (6'3" 325) arrived at Duke with the size to compete with the upperclassmen. If they have the skill, the young guns will be pushing those ahead of them in the rotation." according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

The charted starters currently consist of three redshirt seniors, a redshirt junior and a sophomore: "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

• Center - Austin Davis (6'4" 290) is a redshirt senior who has played 996 snaps in 25 career games. Davis is a returning starter who started all 12 games in 2016.
• Right, Guard - Zach Harmon (6'3" 290) is a redshirt junior who has played 869 snaps in 16 career games. He started 10 games in 2016.
• Left Guard - Julian Santos (6'3" 305) is a sophomore who has played 101 snaps as a true freshman in 2016. The first true freshman offensive lineman to play in the Coach Cutcliffe era.
• Right Tackle - Evan Lisle (6'7" 310) is a redshirt senior graduate transfer from Ohio State. Lisle saw action in 26 games while at Ohio State.
• Left Tackle - Gabe Brandner (6'6" 285) is a redshirt senior who has played 1,923 snaps in 29 career games. Brandner is a returning starter who has 24 career starts. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

The charted second string consists of one redshirt senior, one redshirt junior, one redshirt sophomore and two redshirt freshmen:"according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

• Center - Zach Baker (6'4" 290) is a redshirt sophomore who has played 218 snaps in nine career games. Baker has started two games in his career.
• Right, Guard - Jaylen Miller (6'3" 305) is a redshirt freshman who has not seen college game time.
• Left Guard - Christian Harris (6'6" 300) is a redshirt junior who has played 103 snaps in 10 career games.
• Right, Tackle - Robert Kraeling (6'7" 300) is a redshirt freshman who has not seen college game time.
• Left Tackle - Sterling Korona (6'7" 295) is a redshirt senior who has played 389 snaps in 23 career games. Korona has started one game in his career. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

A common perception is Duke's offensive line performance took a step back in 2016 after being a team strength during the 2012 through 2015 season that saw the Blue Devils qualify to play in a post season bowl game. The perception may or may not be true. What is true is that the offensive line allowed 31 sacks in 2016, which was a significant increase over the 18 allowed in 2015 and the 13 allowed in 2014. What isn't known is how having a redshirt freshman quarterback impacted the sacks allowed number. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

Daniel Jones gained invaluable experience in 2016 and will line up behind center better prepared to run the offense, so the sacks allowed numbers should decrease in 2017. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

The offensive line must be able to open holes for the running game as well as pass protect. Having a balanced offensive attack is key to Duke's success." according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

In 2016, Duke amassed 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in four games and won three of those games (NCCU, Notre Dame, and North Carolina). The one loss was 38-35 to Georgia Tech in Atlanta. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

The 2017 Blue Devils are on a journey to return to a bowl game after the disappointing 4-8 2016 season and offensive line performance will be a key factor in securing the six victories required to gain bowl eligibility. The fact there is legitimate competition for spots on the two deep rotation as well as in the starting lineup bodes well for Duke's chances. "according to https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2017/8/6/16103258/duke-football-position-by-position-offensive-line-blue-devils-acc

So how will Duke's offensive line perform this season under the direction of offensive coordinator Zac Roper