I would imagine that Duke is still reeling from their 62-13 defeat this morning but all they can do is go back to the drawing board and prepare for an Army team that will present the usual problems an option brings to town.  In this weeks Sunday Morning Quarterback column we touch on positives and concerns.

Did Josh Snead have a breakout game?

There were few bright spots for Duke during yesterdays shellacking but Josh Snead was one of them.  A true freshman, Snead, rushed for 83 yards on one of the nations toughest defenses.  Snead   ran up 103 yards on four kickoff returns as well.  We'll see if Snead can consistently bring that kind of performance as the season goes on and he is surely a player to watch closely when Army rolls into Durham next week.  Mark my words, you will see several articles on Snead this week.

The defense is just plain punch drunk

Duke starts a lot of youngsters on defense and it shows.  There is no Michael Tauliliili or Vincent Rey to plug the middle and make big plays.  In fact, this is a unit without that kind of talent up front and opposing backs are into the secondary before the echo of the QB's cadence is gone.  It is no secret that their confidence has been rattled after letting up 133 points in their first three games.  Cutcliffe and his staff must find a way to help them gain their confidence back.  Too many missed tackles are leading to big plays which forces the offense into constant situations where they have to score.  They get to face the option this week as Army rolls in after a shutout victory over North Texas.

Is Army a must win?

I normally like to stay away from claiming a game is a must win but I am afraid that if Duke loses this game, a long season of growth is in store.  So, in short, the Army game is absolutely a needed win for this teams confidence.  They are no Alabama, but Army is no push over this season and they know a win over Duke would boost their bowl hopes.  On the other hand, a Duke loss would cripple any bowl hopes for the Blue Devils.   Duke isin  desperate need of a win, plain and simple.

Alabama took Conner Vernon out of the game

Alabama put their best defender in Dre Kirkpatrick on Vernon but he saw plenty of double and even triple teams at times.  In fact, all of the wideouts had long days from crushing hits to a few untimely drops.  The good thing is that Vernon never quit nor did the rest of the Blue Devils.  Duke will be better from the experience of playing lock down cover guys the rest of the season and there are plenty of touchdown receptions ahead.

Coach Cut has been preaching physical play

My thinking is that Cutcliffe saw that Duke was undermanned physically at certain positions in the pre season and he has preached aggressiveness and physical play in practice.  The Blue Devils are perhaps too young at certain positions forcing players into game action before they are physically mature.  Okay, I am talking the defensiveside of the ball and unfortunately you cannot fast forward natural physical development.

The atmosphere was top notch

Wallace Wade was transformed for the Alabama game and fans indeed packed the place with not a seat in sight before kickoff.  Promotions went down just fine and there didn't seem to be any major problems.  Kudos for Duke keeping this game in Durham and despite the loss it still provided a unique experience for fans and one they'll remember.  But as usual, a big throng of students left at the half.

Alabama fans friendly and in awe

While strolling around before the game, I was asked like ten questions from the visiting fans and I was glad to help them out.  It was kind of funny seeing their fans a few hundred at a time in Cameron.  Many of there fans were in awe of the facility, taking pictures and sitting in the old girl trying to imagine what a game was like there.  There fans seemed very cordial and several commented on how unique the campus was.  Hey guys, schedule Duke in hoops and we'll show you what it's like.  We'll be as gentle as you guys were on the football field.

Growing pains

In Cutcliffes third year, Duke is experiencing some growing pains while they rebuild at certain positions.  All is not lost and a win can cure many ills.  It is important for Duke fans to show their support during the tough times for they cannot see everything which goes on behind the scenes and this team will continue to work hard to achieve set goals.  The program had to dig itself out of a deep hole and as the young players gain experience, Duke will compete and win some games.

Recruits a plenty at the game

Duke had a bunch of prospects at the game and it is true that they saw Duke get walloped by Alabama.  Keep in mind that Cut has played against 25 or so Tide teams in his career and he stated this was the best of them all.  The perception that a game like this hurts recruiting is wrong for these kids know Duke is moving in the right direction and they know Alabama is good.

DURHAM - The Crimson Tide rolled through Durham and over Duke as they outplayed the home team in every aspect of the game in a 62-13 victory.  The Blue Devils were simply no match for the nation's top-rated team, who were led by the return of Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram, the Alabama tailback.  Ingram rushed for 151 yards and scored 2 touchdowns, but when the Tide went to the bench it didn't hurt them a bit, for their second and third team backs scored as well.

Duke struggled with their passing game where Sean Renfree was 17-34 for 144 yards and 1 touchdown.  "They're definitely a great football team but in a way we beat ourselves," said Renfree. Duke did, however, have a decent day running the ball where true freshman Josh Snead carried 14 times for 83 yards.  The Alabama defense shut down Conner Vernon, who caught just two passes, while Donovan Varner led the team with 7 catches for 55 yards.

"I told them [our team] that anybody who watched the game or the last two games that we are in rehab," said a frustrated Coach Cutcliffe after the game.

Big plays were the name of the game for the Tide where Trent Richardson broke off a 45 yard run for a score to go with a 90 yard kick return for another.  And their quarterback, Greg McElroy, has still yet to lose a game from his high school season to now.  McElroy finished the game hitting 14 of 20 passes for 258 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Duke falls to 1-2 on the season and they look to right the ship against a solid Army team next week.  More to come.