Duke coach David Cutcliffe was surprised to see Duke execute poorly and play passively on offense in the loss at Georgia Tech, considering the team had such a good week in practice.

The Duke football team won't escape this question in 2008: Can the resurgent Blue Devils successfully compete against ACC-level talent?

Georgia Tech came into the game with Duke after a bye week with plenty of time to plan. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson still earns the "pre-game adjustment" ribbon for a tweak he made in the running game of his option offense.

Not moving the ball finally undid what had been a solid defensive performance by the Duke Blue Devils in a 27-0 ACC loss to Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday.

Duke heads to Georgia Tech on Saturday in an important early-ACC-season game. The meeting highlights the changing nature of Duke football — the team that will play in Atlanta is heavy with players from Georgia, a state former coach Ted Roof focused on in recruiting.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe released his injury report for Saturday's noon game at Georgia Tech and star receiver Eron Riley was listed as questionable with a hand injury. "

Duke athletic director Kevin White is clear on this point: When Alabama plays Duke in football in 2010, it will be at Wallace Wade Stadium.

The Duke Blue Devils are in a rare position this week: They have something working in their favor for Saturday's noon contest at Georgia Tech.

Alabama will make an appearance at Wallace Wade Stadium in 2010 to play the Duke Blue Devils, a Duke spokesman confirmed on Wednesday. That's a small coup for the fledgling Duke football program that is off to its best start in 14 years at 3-1 and 1-0 in the ACC.

Jabari Marshall caught an earful while riding the David Cutcliffe straight-talk express on Saturday. Marshall's mistake? Taking a swan dive into the end zone to celebrate his 42-yard interception return for a touchdown in Duke's blowout of Virginia.

ACC Now blogger J.P. Giglio and columnist Caulton Tudor make predictions of this weekend's games.

Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt was held out of practice Tuesday with a strained right hamstring.

Ten players caught passes in Duke's 31-3 win over Virginia, in part because Duke pulled back and threw shorter routes all over the field.

The key to truly opening up the Duke running game, that is still awaiting the return of senior Re'quan Boyette, may be the freshman class.

During a 2-1 start to the 2008 football season, the Duke Blue Devils' defense had whispered a suggestion of how good it might become while making some big plays.

Duke QB finds a groove with short passes in second half.

Duke running back Tielor Robinson scored from a yard out with 1:41 left in the game to give the Blue Devils a 31-3 victory and their first ACC victory in 26 ACC games.