Prior to last season, Duke was a team which had to win by outscoring the opponent as the defense could not be relied upon to stop the opponent. The situation changed in 2013 when the defense stood up and made a statement with dominating performances in wins such as the 13-10 victory over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, the 35-7 dismantling of Navy inside Wallace Wade Stadium and the 2nd half shutout of Virginia, in Charlottesville, when Duke came from 22 points down to win 35-22. The 2014 Blue Devils will look to build off the success achieved last season with continued strong defensive performances. In this article, Blue Devil Nation breaks down the defense position by position.

Defensive Tackle: The interior defensive line has been a problem area for the Blue Devils recently; however, in 2014, defensive tackle is shaping up to be a position of strength. Jamal Bruce was a pillar of strength in 2013 starting all 14 games, recording 33 tackles and a sack. Bruce underwent surgery on January 9 for a broken foot suffered in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. He is expected to be fully recovered prior to the start of practice next month. Carlos Wray came on strong in the second half of last season during which time he recorded 22 of his 31 tackles on the season. Wray is a guy to keep an eye on as he appears poised to have a breakout season in 2014. A. J. Wolf (nine tackles) and Jamal Wallace (six tackles) have game time experience and should see an increase in snaps played, while redshirt freshman Mike Ramsay (6'2" 295) is a guy who could be an impact player in his first season on the field. Adding to position depth will be two highly touted true freshmen, Edgar Cerenord (6'1" 300) and Quaven Furgusen (6'2" 305) who could compete for immediate playing time. Defensive tackle is a position in solid shape heading into the season.

Projected starters: Jamal Bruce, Carlos Wray

Defensive End: Duke's defense improved dramatically in 2013, but one area still needing to take it up a notch is the pass rush, which falls squarely on the shoulders of the defensive ends. Moreover, those pass rush generating defensive ends must be able to simultaneously defend against the run. It is no easy task. In terms of who is going to start and who is going to play significant snaps, defensive end is the most wide open position on the defense heading into the season. Kyler Brown was moved from linebacker to defensive end in the spring. Brown played defensive end in high school so he is returning to a familiar position. Dezmond Johnson (22 tackles/one sack), Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo (nine tackles/two sacks) and Jonathan Jones (17 tackles/three sacks) are the returning DE lettermen, but the jury is out on how effective they will be as every down defensive ends. Defensive end is a position of concern heading into the season.

Projected starters: Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo, Dezmond Johnson

Linebacker: Four experienced players are on the roster plus some young, unproven talent. David Helton was the team's leading tackler last season with 133, while 1st Team All ACC selectee Kelby Brown recorded 114 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. C.J. France (20 tackles) and Deion Williams (17 tackles) round out the experience at the position. Redshirt freshmen Dominic McDonald and Chris Holmes will both look to make the most of playing time opportunities but there is a lot of experience in front of them on the depth chart so impressing coaches with solid special teams play could be their best option. Redshirt junior Nick Hill was moved from defensive back to linebacker in the spring. True freshmen Zavier Carmichael, a 4 Star recruit per ESPN, and Tinashe Bere round out the rotation possibilities. Linebacker is a position of strength headed into the season.

Projected starters: Kelby Brown, David Helton

Cornerback: The team is young on the corners but the players make up for their lack of experience with natural talent. Rising sophomores Breon Borders and Bryon Fields excelled on the corners as true freshmen and are expected to be bigger, faster and stronger in 2014. Borders snagged four interceptions to go along with 26 tackles, while Fields recorded 42 tackles and one sack. DeVon Edwards, three interceptions and 64 tackles, splits time between cornerback and safety. The same cornerback/safety split is projected for redshirt freshman Evrett Edwards. Edwards arrived at Duke amidst much fanfare so expectations are high for him starting this season. Additional players in the mix are redshirt freshman T.J. Douglas, who has good size at 6'1" 185, and true freshmen Alonzo Saxton, Johnathan Lloyd and Zach Muniz. Cornerback will be a young position this season with one major unknown, can one of the guys can take the next step to All ACC level player?

Projected starters: Breon Borders, Bryon Fields

Safety: All America selectee Jeremy Cash is most likely the best individual talent on Duke's defense. When the game is in motion, Cash seems to be everywhere at once as evidenced by the 121 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries he recorded during the 2013 season. With Ross Cockrell departed to the NFL, Cash will be expected to be the leader of the defensive backs in 2014. Junior Dwayne Norman struggled with injuries throughout his sophomore season so his return to good health would provide valuable experience to another youth filled position. Redshirt sophomores DeVon Edwards and Corbin McCarthy plus sophomore Deondre Singleton were all solid performers in 2013 who will be more experienced this coming season. Redshirt freshmen, Quay Mann, Jake Kite and Phillip Carter round out the rotation possibilities. This position's line-up is young but the youth is countered by All America level talent and depth. Safety is another position in solid shape heading into the season.

Projected starters: Jeremy Cash, DeVon Edwards, Deondre Singleton

Duke is the defending Coastal Division Champions and enters the 2014 season looking to earn a return trip to the ACC Championship Game and play in a third consecutive bowl game. The Blue Devils will once again feature a high octane offense, this year under new offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery who was promoted upon the departure of Kurt Roper to Florida. In this article, Blue Devil Nation breaks down the offense position by position.

Quarterback: Senior Anthony Boone returns for his second season as the Blue Devil starter. Duke's record when Boone starts is 10-2 with the two losses being to Florida State in the ACC Championship Game and Texas A&M in the Chic-fil-A Bowl. Two games that standout as exemplary examples of Boone's talent and toughness are the 2012 home win over Virginia when Boone was thrust into the starting line-up in relief of an injured Sean Renfree, and the 2013 home win over Navy when Boone was forced to return a week early from a broken collarbone when Brandon Connette suffered an injured ankle in practice. In both cases, Boone responded splendidly and led Duke to victory. After Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, Boone is arguably the most accomplished returning quarterback in the ACC. The other three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster: Thomas Sirk, Parker Boehme and Nico Pierre, have taken a combined zero snaps in college so while Duke has a lot of talent backing up Boone, the Blue Devils have zero experience. Boone's health could be a significant storyline in 2014; however, nobody should sleep on Thomas Sirk who was ahead of Brandon Connette on the depth chart in the spring of 2013 prior to suffering a torn Achilles tendon. Sirk has a reputation as a powerful runner with an accurate arm.

Projected starter: Anthony Boone

Running Back: Two experienced and talented players, Josh Snead and Shaq Powell, will anchor the running back rotation in 2014. Snead averaged an impressive 6.1 yards per carry in 2013, while Powell averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Redshirt freshman Joe Ajeigbe and true freshman Shaun Wilson will occupy the next two spots in the rotation so running back depth is a concern entering the season. Ajeigbe had a strong performance in the Spring Game so expectations are he will be up to the task of playing significant snaps this season, but only time will tell if true freshman Wilson is ready to make an immediate impact. The rotation has relied on four running backs the past several years so the suspension of Jela Duncan could be a big blow in 2014. Depth at running back is perhaps the number one concern for Duke's offense this coming season.

Projected starter: Josh Snead

Wide Receiver: This discussion has to start with returning All ACC and team receptions leader Jamison Crowder who hauled in an ACC record 108 receptions for 1360 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013. Crowder will be one of the best receivers in the nation in 2014. After Crowder, there will be plenty of competition for the second and third starting spots. Duke has a plethora of talent at wide receiver including Max McCaffrey who recorded 26 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns; Issac Blakeney with 19 receptions for 244 yards and four touchdowns; Johnell Barnes caught 15 passes for 217 yards; Anthony Nash caught three passes for 31 yards; Ryan Smith with two receptions for 41 yards. Added in to the competition will be redshirt freshmen Terrance Alls and Quay Chambers, and true freshmen Trevon Lee and Chris Taylor. Lee is a dynamic player who should press for immediate playing time.

Projected starters: Jamison Crowder, Max McCaffrey, Johnell Barnes

Tight End: Another position where Duke returns two talented and experienced players. Braxton Deaver and David Reeves are both excellent players. Deaver caught 46 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns in 2013. His 13 yards per reception was tops on the team. In Duke's 35-22 come from behind victory over Virginia, in Charlottesville, Deaver caught two touchdown passes of 47 and 24 yards, while David Reeves caught a two point conversion pass. In the Chic-fil-A Bowl, David Reeves caught a 4th quarter 21 yard touchdown pass where he impressively tip toed down the sideline to remain in bounds. These two guys are big, talented receivers who can run block as effectively as they catch passes. Behind Deaver and Reeves on the depth chart will be Erich Schneider who redshirted in 2013 and true freshman Davis Koppenhaver. Sophomore Dan Beilinson is injured so his availability to compete is questionable. With Deaver and Reeves the tight end position is in solid shape in 2014.

Projected starter: Braxton Deaver

Offensive Line: A strong argument could be made the strength of the offense is the talent on the offensive line. Strength in the trenches tends to show itself in the 4th quarter a quarter Duke excelled in last season. Seniors Laken Tomlinson and Takoby Cofield will lead a unit that proved in 2013 they could both run block and protect the quarterback on passing plays. The line returns three starters with center Matt Skura being the third. Lucas Patrick and Cody Robinson have both played an impressive number of starts, and redshirt sophomore Tanner Stone is healthy after missing the 2013 season due to an injury which required surgery. Additional depth will be provided by Marcus Aprahamian, Carson Ginn, Casey Blaser, Sterling Korona and Austin Davis. Duke is deep along the offensive line so strong 4th quarter performances should take place once again in 2014.

Projected starters: Laken Tomlinson, Takoby Cofield, Matt Skura, Lucas Patrick, Tanner Stone

The time to win for Duke Football is now. Coming off back to back bowl games and returning several key starters this is a season when we should expect the Blue Devils to win and continue their bowl streak which would stretch to three straight.

The Blue Devils gained some serious momentum a season ago by winning their division and eventually dropping their final game of the season to Johnny Football and Texas A & M in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl. If you remember Texas A & M was coming off a win over Alabama the season before and they had three very high first round draft picks. They were also projected as a pre season top five team. What I am saying is had you told the average person Duke would take this team in a bowl game by seasons end and they'd be wondering about your mental state.

Last year was truly a break through season for the Blue Devils, but it didn't always look like that would happen. Duke suffered a disappointing loss to Pitt where they could not stop their offense from scoring and they then suffered a loss to Georgia Tech in back to back games in Wallace Wade Stadium.

In hindsight those losses probably slowed the bandwagon of fans that have now come aboard in that nobody could envision that Duke would flip things around after a 2-2 start. It took another close win over Troy but then came a bye week and Duke rocked Navy and that started a roll where they took out Virginia, Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Miami, Wake Forest and North Carolina to close their regular season at an amazing 10-2 record.

During that time Duke Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles found some mojo and the job he did past the Troy game was more than just a little impressive. Anyhow, as each week passed, people started to believe and attendance started to get better.

The momentum Cut's crew has established will carry over going into this season and the crowds will continue to get better provided they take care of business. Duke has already sold more season ticket packages and in the next three years or more, the Administration will start to implement changes to Wallace Wade and along awaited better experience for the fans attending.

Duke has always had a cult base of fans for the program, but now, more want to come aboard and winning has a way of sparking interest. It also helps that Duke is recruiting better than they have since a singular banner class under former coach Steve Sloan. Yes, I am dating myself, for we are talking the eighties. But Cut has done something no other coach was able to do, since Bill Murray and that is building a truly sold foundation in which to operate.

You may have noticed that I have said the time is now to win, so let me explain that a bit more. Duke returns a solid talent base and they have good leadership in the senior class, but after this season they will rebuild a little bit and that is the nature of the beast. They will be much younger in two years and could take a small, yet temporary step back.

Add that to a schedule where for the first time in years you can make the claim that they could beat anyone on the slate and you can start to feel me. But be warned, Duke will not sneak up on a soul this season and everyone will take them seriously, some circling the game on their schedule. What Duke has to guard against is complacency and remain hungry to continue the building process.

In the pre season polls, Duke has been picked anywhere from second in their division to tied for last. That means, the program is still earning respect but doing so quickly. On paper, it is hard to argue with Duke not possibly being the pick to win the Coastal, but Miami returns some kids from key injuries and they take on the Blue Devils in Miami. Then there is Virginia Tech.

Make no mistake that the Hokies will come to Durham this year hell-bent on revenge. Last year, I'd argue the win over Virginia Tech was the key to going 10-2 and that win, despite a day when the offense struggled mightily to do a thing, showed that Duke had learned how to win games when one side of the ball was having issues.

Duke was also able to defeat North Carolina for the second consecutive season to save the Victory Bell from returning from its long time home and that is more than a little huge to players and fans alike. But the Heels, despite that, are considered better than Duke by most picking their pre season picks to date. The Blue Devil will also face stiff competition from Georgia Tech a team that's had their number for far too long and Virginia is more experienced at key positions.

So there. I have set the table and talked a bit about the wonderful season a year ago but it's now time to start to look ahead and tomorrow the Blue Devil Nation will continue it's one article a day take on Duke Football in July and by the end of the month, we feel you will have a much better grip on what to look for in 2014-15 and tomorrow our series or preview will continue on a daily basis every day in July, so be sure to check back in.

With today being the first day of July, Blue Devil Nation will start to take a deep look at everything Duke Football.  The goal is to have a new post everyday previewing the season by folks who've covered the program for years.  As you all know, Duke is coming off their first ten win season in school history, not to mention back to back bowl games for the first time ever.

Last year was an amazing season and the progress Coach David Cutcliffe and company have made on the field and the recruiting trail is worthy of plenty of chatter.  We feel that will continue and that the time to win is now in that the Blue Devils have some key veteran players.  In fact, Duke may have arrived a season early a year ago, much like the basketball team did when they won their first national title under Coach Mike Krzyzewski, only to repeat the following season.  While that analogy is on similar in nature, there is plenty of hope and chance the football team goes to an unprecedented third straight bowl game and is a force in the ACC.

That said, we look forward to breaking down many aspects of the program, be it scheduling, position battles and the liquid changes to facilities and more.  So, check in every single day this month as we begin the hype for the 2014-15 season.