Fans have purchased more than 9,000 season tickets, more than double the number this time a year ago. That's in part because of the veteran coach's eight-town summer tour that included a stop in Knoxville, Tenn.

High school prospects apparently are listening as well. In his first recruiting period at Duke, Cutcliffe already has secured a host of early commitments, including a notable haul from North Carolina.

The coach's fervor, combined with successful stints as an assistant at Tennessee and Mississippi, has created the liveliest preseason football buzz around here since Steve Spurrier's exciting three-year era in the late 1980s.

But Cutcliffe noted at the Blue Devils' media day on Sunday that "for all the talk to have meaning," there must be on-the-field success.

He isn't making predictions. He said there's "a lot of work left to do." He knows ACC media picked Duke to finish last in its division.

Nineteen returning regulars -- including quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and standout receiver Eron Riley -- will be among the Blue Devils at their first practice today at 6:15 p.m. Though there's hope and some talent, Cutcliffe will be focusing on certain areas that need extra attention.

* Will Duke resolve its place-kicking problem?

This is Cutcliffe's biggest concern. Duke converted just three of its 12 field-goal attempts last season.

Senior Joe Surgan and sophomore Nick Maggio were No. 1 and No. 2 on the depth chart after spring practice, but Cutcliffe will look at five candidates. Included in the mix is freshman Paul Asack, brother of quarterback Zack Asack who was ranked as the 14th top kicking prospect in the country by Scout.com.

Cutcliffe also will scrutinize three punters.

If the kicking game is not effective, "we'll go for it more on fourth down more than you can imagine," Cutcliffe said. "I expect us to quickly reach greater heights in the kicking game."

* Can the Blue Devils mount a running attack to augment the passing of quarterback Thaddeus Lewis?

Duke averaged just 64 yards rushing per game in 2007. Leading ground gainer Re'quan Boyette (4.2 yards per carry) is back, along with senior Clifford Harris. Sophomore Tony Jackson, who starred in the spring game after moving from defensive back, brings extra speed to the backfield.

But they'll need crisp blocking from a leaner, athletic line featuring Cameron Goldberg, Fred Rowland and Rob Schirmann, who have a combined 70 career starts. Depth is a concern, Cutcliffe said.

* How will the Blue Devils finish?

Duke opens with four straight home games -- James Madison, Northwestern, Navy and Virginia -- in a schedule considered favorable.

While hoping for a successful September, Cutcliffe said what the Blue Devils do in November will define the team.

In order, the Blue Devils will play at Wake Forest, at home against N.C. State, at Clemson and at Virginia Tech. Duke will finish at home against North Carolina.

If Duke can finish games in the fourth quarter, and if the Devils can finish strong in those final five weeks, it would be a November to remember.

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