FSU football: Ranking the top defenses Noles will face in 2023
By Kelvin Hunt
Duke
- 22.1 PPG
- 5.52 YPP
- 43 percent third down conversion allowed
- 65.85 percent Red Zone TD percentage allowed
- No. 62 FEI
Duke head coach Mike Elko is known as a great defensive coordinator at different stops in his career. That’s why it was surprising Duke has a better offense than defense in year one with him. Duke didn’t play any great offenses last year, aside from North Carolina and Wake Forest. They allowed 38 and 31 points against those two, respectively.
Duke had excellent turnover luck in 2022, forcing 26, but that’s likely, not repeatable year in and year out. Elko has traditionally had solid secondary play, and Duke got some transfer portal help for that unit. They didn’t have a great pass rush but create pressure with blitzes from the secondary, and why two of their top four sack totals came from defensive backs. They will be solid, but good offenses will score.