2010 football schedule: Duke

2009 record: 5-7, 3-5 ACC
Bowl teams (in '09): seven
Main event: Alabama (Sept. 18 )
Miss in the ACC: N.C. State, Florida State, Clemson
Gimme: Elon (Sept. 4)

Bottom line: Duke coach David Cutcliffe spent a lot of time talking about a bowl last season but came up short. This schedule, while not as friendly on paper as last year's, does have some holes.

With the right breaks, it's conceivable Duke could start 4-1 (can you find the sure loss?) or the Devils could be 1-4. Let's face it when you're Duke, there's nowhere to hide.

The visit by 2009 national champ, and likely preseason No. 1 Alabama on Sept. 18 is quite the football culture clash. The other nonconference games: Army, Navy and Elon are at least winnable.

Unlike Carolina, the Devils did catch a break on the crossover and avoid Clemson and FSU, two teams that still have a considerable talent advantage over the reworked Cutcliffe version of the program.

With some of the personnel losses, it's not difficult to see Duke taking a step back to 4-8 with this schedule.