These two teams know each other well having played each other each of the last three years. Neither team is really going to look to surprise the other, and both want to run the ball first and slow the game down. Army was 130th in pace of play last year while Duke was 58th, but both teams were in the top 11 in the country in plays per possession and time of possession. This will limit the scoring opportunities.

Duke has always been a good team against the triple option under David Cutcliffe, and the fact that they are 14 points with revenge, 8 returning starters on the defense, and 79% of their tackles back. This is the fastest defense Duke has had and I really think they can shut down Army's triple option and hold them under 14 points in this game given that they had all off season to prepare. They are definitely not looking past Army considering they lost this game last year.

Offensively Duke will run the ball when they have a lead which we expect in this game since they are 14 point favorites. In their wins last year they ran the ball 50 times compared to 32 time sin their losses. The last 5 season openers Duke has held opponents to 6.6 points per game.