Renfree, who played in five games as a backup last season before tearing an ACL in November, is back to 100 percent - which is key, considering he steps into the starting cleats of 10,000-yard career passer Thaddeus Lewis. Coach David Cutcliffe has been impressed with the player's poise and grasp of the offense, and Renfree should be helped by a veteran wide receiver corps. He completed 34 of 50 passes for 330 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions before he was sidelined.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO
The new "multiple" defensive scheme gets to opposing quarterbacks more than it gets beat. Renfree's surgically repaired knee holds up, and his transition to full-time starter is seamless. The running game improves, and the Devils begin the season 3-1 - giving Duke a chance to fulfill its postseason goal despite playing in the ACC's tougher division.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO
The thin defensive front consistently gets shredded. Renfree gets hurt, leaving an inexperienced freshman to take the snaps. Duke struggles Saturday against Elon, loses the next week at Wake and has zero momentum when defending national champion Alabama comes to town.
