Duke will be the first area college football team to start spring practice, getting back to work today, a full 35 days before East Carolina begins its first spring under new coach Ruffin McNeill.
The NCAA allows teams 15 spring practices and leaves the details up to the individual schools.
Duke is the only area school which will practice in February and have its spring game in March. North Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest and ECU, on the other hand, will each hold their spring games in April.
They each have questions to answer during the spring camp:
Duke
Spring practice starts: today
Spring game: March 27
Question: How will the defense handle a new coordinator and new personnel?
The Blue Devils avoided the disaster of losing coach David Cutcliffe to Tennessee but lost defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre to San Jose State, and they have to rebuild their defensive line.
Three seniors, including Vince Oghobaase, who likely will be the first Duke player taken in the NFL draft since 2004, have to be replaced. Also, freshman tackle John Drew, who played an important reserve role this season, was dismissed by Cutcliffe for violating team rules.
There's some experience returning, in defensive end Patrick Egboh and defensive tackle Charlie Hatcher, but how Marion Hobby, who replaces MacIntyre, handles the line will be a key to Duke's development from a losing team to a bowl-eligible team.
N.C. State
Spring practice starts: March 9
Spring game: April 17
Question: Can linebacker Nate Irving and new assistant coach Jon Tenuta rescue the defense?
The Wolfpack gets Irving back after he missed the entire 2009 season while recovering from the injuries he suffered in a summer car crash, and it also adds the well-regarded Tenuta to the staff as linebackers coach.
Those two should help State improve what was a late-pursuing, poor-tackling defense. The Wolfpack gave up 31.2 points and 361.2 yards per game, both numbers way too high to win more games than you lose.
It will be interesting to see how much input Tenuta, a former coordinator at Notre Dame, UNC, and Georgia Tech, will have on the current scheme favored by head coach Tom O'Brien and coordinator Mike Archer.
UNC
Spring practice starts: March 15
Spring game: April 10
Question: Is Bryn Renner ready to supplant T.J. Yates at quarterback?
T.J. Yates has started for the better part of three seasons for coach Butch Davis, but the senior's decision making has cost the Heels, especially late in the 2009 season.
With one of the nation's best defenses, UNC doesn't need much on offense, but what it does need is fewer turnovers. Yates threw 15 interceptions last season.
If Renner, a redshirt freshman touted for his athleticism, is going to get the starting job, you figure he has to win it in the spring. But Renner will have a full plate this spring, playing baseball for the Tar Heels, as well.
East Carolina
Spring practice: March 22
Spring game: April 17
Question: What's up with Dominique Davis?
The former Boston College quarterback signed with ECU but did not enroll in January, which sent him back into college's version of free agency.
The Pirates, who need to replace starter Patrick Pinkney, hope that Davis enrolls in August, but nothing is certain.
That leaves two untested sophomores, Josh Jordan and Rio Johnson as the only two quarterbacks in spring camp.
Wake Forest
Spring practice starts: March 16
Spring game: April 17
Question: No more Riley Skinner, really?
It's true, after four years, 33 wins and an ACC title from Riley Skinner, the Demon Deacons need a new quarterback. Finally.
The Deacons don't have a designated successor, with four candidates -- Ted Stachitas, Brendan Cross, Skylar Jones and Turner Faulk -- expected to be given a shot.
The starter will still have leading receiver Marshall Williams (61 catches) as a target, and the return of the top two rushers, Cary's Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass, from 2009.
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