ACC Power Rankings 2014: Coastal Division
By Dan Kelley
Dec 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) is tackled by Duke Blue Devils defensive end Justin Foxx (92) and cornerback DeVon Edwards (27) during the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4 Duke Blue Devils
Training camp could really be going better for the Duke Blue Devils. Braxton Deaver went down with a knee injury yesterday, not long after the Blue Devils also lost LB Kelby Brown for the year with a torn ACL. Both were All-ACC caliber players and it is going to be very difficult for the Blue Devils to repeat as Coastal division champs without them. Two weeks ago, the Blue Devils might have come in at No. 1 in these ACC power rankings. Now, fourth-place might be generous.
The offense should still be pretty decent without Deaver, but it is definitely a big loss. Duke still returns QB Anthony Boone, and All-ACC receiver Jamison Crowder, and they have the benefit of playing cross-division games against Syracuse and Wake Forest.
In addition to finding someone to replace Brown, the Blue Devils also lost an outstanding pair of cornerbacks–Rock Cockrell and Garrett Patterson–to graduation. Bryon Fields and Breon Borders should fill in nicely though. Borders snagged four interceptions as a freshman last year.