Third and goal: N.C. Central

Duke opens its 2013 season against N.C. Central at Wallace Wade Stadium at 4 p.m. Here are the keys to this afternoon's Bull City Gridiron Classic.

Run early, run often

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The Blue Devils' season-opener will be our first look at the team's offense, which should emphasize the ground game more heavily this season. Duke's group of running backs, which include Juwan Thompson, Jela Duncan, Josh Snead and Shaquille Powell, all bring different strengths to the table. The team's hope is that at least one of these four can get hot in a given week and control the pace of the game. With mobile quarterbacks like Anthony Boone and Brandon Connette, Duke's use of the zone-read will allow for a bevy of running options, and if the Blue Devils can establish the run game early on, it will open up the vertical passing game for Boone as well.

Stop the big play

Duke allowed more plays of 25 yards or more than any team in the FBS last season. Against a weaker FCS opponent like N.C. Central, the Blue Devils cannot get beaten down the field. Eagles quarterback Jordan Reid helped his team end the year on a high note and should be going into this season feeling confident, but if Duke can't stop a team like N.C. Central from making big plays through the air, how are the Blue Devils going to stop teams like Miami or Virginia Tech? The Bull City Gridiron Classic will be a first look at safeties Corbin McCarthy and Jeremy Cash in game action, and it will also be Garett Patterson's first outing as a starting cornerback. How these players defend the deep ball could set the tone for the remainder of the season.

Empty the bench

Today's game will likely have two phases—the competitive portion and garbage time. Earlier this week, head coach David Cutcliffe said you could see as many as 60 Duke players on the field against N.C. Central. Although the game's outcome could be decided by as early as halftime, the fourth quarter will be an essential learning experience for young players, some of whom are true freshmen that Cutcliffe expects to make an impact later this year. Look for guys like Breon Borders, Bryon Fields, Johnell Barnes and Ryan Smith all to make their way on the stat sheet in the fourth quarter.