X factor: Duke football vs. Elon

The Blue Devils host Elon the season opener for both teams tomorrow and will take on the Phoenix at 6:00 p.m. at Wallace Wade Stadium. Every week throughout the football season, we’ll break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest.

Duke: linebacker David Helton

Helton, a talented second-team All-ACC linebacker, spent most of the summer overshadowed by fellow linebacker Kelby Brown, who was the undisputed leader of the defense. But when Brown tore his ACL earlier this month, Helton's responsibilities increased overnight. The coaching staff moved him to the Mike linebacker position and has asked him to lead an inexperienced linebacking corp.

Helton recorded 133 tackles last season, which led the ACC and was the seventh-best mark in the nation in 2013. Look for the Chattanooga, Tenn. native to anchor an older, but somewhat inexperienced front six against a revamped Elon offense that could have some tricks up its sleeve thanks to head coach Rich Skrosky. If Helton can make big stops in the open field, look for the Phoenix offense to struggle to move the chains on a consistent basis.

Elon: wide receiver Kierre Brown

Brown is Elon's best athlete and the offense needs him to exceed expectations against a Blue Devil secondary that is returning four starters. The redshirt junior had a breakout season last year, hauling in 50 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns last season in 12 games. Brown has the speed to sneak past the Duke secondary and make big plays that could give the Phoenix a huge confidence boost early on. His impact will extended beyond offense production.

The Charlotte native had one of the best kickoff return averages (24.6) in the Southern Conference last year and returned five punts for 109 yards, including a 56-yard return for a touchdown. In order for Elon to have any shot of an upset in Durham, Brown needs to be on the field as much as possible and make big plays on offense and special teams.