Third and goal: Duke football vs. Georgia Tech

After starting 2-0 for the first time since 1998, Duke opens conference play against a very strong Georgia Tech team at 3:30 p.m. at Wallace Wade Stadium. Here are the keys to this afternoon’s game:

Involve Many Offensive Players

With the luxury of a Week 2 bye, Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson has had two weeks to prepare his squad for Duke. Johnson and new defensive coordinator Ted Roof, Duke’s former head coach, are well aware that Jamison Crowder is the Blue Devils’ go-to option on offense. The Yellow Jackets have most definitely devised a plan to limit his production, which will likely feature 2012-second team All-ACC defensive back Jemea Thomas. As a result, it is crucial that Duke involves many offensive players, much like last week in Memphis. Crowder led the team with eleven receptions for 140 yards, but tight end Braxton Deaver chipped in with five receptions and wide receivers Brandon Braxton and Issac Blakeney each caught Brandon Connette touchdown passes. Similarly, in the run game, Juwan Thompson, Josh Snead, and Jela Duncan each offer significant contributions to the Blue Devils’ offensive attack. Georgia Tech returns eight defensive starters, including a player who's on the preseason watch list for numerous defensive awards, defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu, and athletic tackling machine, linebacker Brandon Watts. In order to have success, Duke must share the ball and show the Yellow Jackets that Crowder is not the only player that can hurt them.

Ace The Test: Continue to Shut Down the Run

Although up against relatively weak competition, Duke’s run defense has been stellar thus far. Last week in Memphis, the Blue Devils shut down the Tiger’s run game, allowing only 89 yards on 33 carries. Georgia Tech, however, is a much more formidable opponent than Memphis. Last year, the Yellow Jackets made it to the ACC Title game, won its first bowl game after seven straight losses, and beat Duke 42-24 in Atlanta. Georgia Tech's success was in large part due to its explosive offense and unconventional spread option system, notorious for confusing defenders, controlling the tempo of the game and wearing down opposing defenses. In Week 1, the Yellow Jackets dismantled FCS-opponent Elon 70-0 with 557 yards of total offense, 368 of which were on the ground. Duke’s run defense will face its biggest test yet when Kenny Anunike, Justin Foxx and the defensive line go head-to-head with two of the ACC’s top offensive linemen in redshirt senior guard Will Jackson and redshirt senior center Jay Finch. The pair will be protecting redshirt sophomore quarterback Vad Lee, a Durham native that is just as much of a threat with his legs as his arm. With the likes of Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas coming through the program in recent years, it is surprising that Lee does not have a star wide-out to count on. A weak receiving corps will allow the Blue Devils to devote most of their attention to stopping Tech’s run game.

Stay Healthy

Staying healthy is a key to any football season. Duke did not get off on the right foot in this regard last week when starting quarterback Anthony Boone left the game late in the first half with a broken collarbone and was ruled out indefinitely. Most teams would suffer from the loss of their starting quarterback worse than Duke will thanks to having a relatively experienced backup in Brandon Connette. Connette proved that he is comfortable under center and that he is capable of leading Duke, as was evidenced in the Blue Devils' win last week. Even though Connette has been used in more of a hybrid role in recent years, he was still recruited to come to Durham as a passer, and that's what he'll be moving forward. Bottom line: Duke cannot afford to lose anyone else, especially a player with as big of a role as Boone.