David Cutcliffe and the Duke Blue Devils travel west to New Orleans for an opening game showdown against Tulane. Find out who’s picked to win in our Duke vs. Tulane prediction and preview below. 

Duke vs. Tulane Prediction & Preview

Why You Need To Care

Duke quashed any doubts that 2013 was a fluke by winning nine games and earning a third straight bowl berth a year ago. Now, the Blue Devils want to remain a Coastal Division contender, despite the losses of key starters and the need to unwrap a new quarterback. Tulane is at a crossroads. Winners of just three of its last 16 versus FBS opponents, the Green Wave hopes to recapture the magic of an unlikely bowl run two years ago.

Why Duke Will Win

To be successful in 2015, Tulane must get QB Tanner Lee on track. But that won’t be so easy against the Blue Devil secondary. Duke can change the tenor of a game with its ball-hawking secondary, led by safeties Jeremy Cash and DeVon Edwards.

Why Tulane Will Win

The Green Wave will need to be careful with its throws. But there should be running room. Duke is soft up front, while Tulane boasts an experienced line that can open up holes for rising backs Sherman Badie, Dontrell Hilliard, Lazedrick Thompson and Rob Kelley.

Player Who Matters

David Cutcliffe’s newest quarterback pupil at Duke is Thomas Sirk, a clone of BYU’s Taysom Hill. Sirk still has a lot to prove as a passer, but his running skills at 6-4 and 215 pounds will punish the Tulane front wall.

What’s Going To Happen?

If Lee had clear airways, Tulane would have a real shot of pulling the upset Thursday night. But he won’t against a Duke secondary that closes fast on throws. The Blue Devils will grind out a road victory behind Sirk and an underrated O-line.

Duke vs. Tulane Score Prediction

Without further ado, the Duke vs. Tulane prediction is …

Duke 31, Tulane 23

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