DB Ross Cockrell: Duke cannot win a shootout against Texas A&M like Auburn and
Alabama did. As a result, the Blue Devils will need to use the blue plan that Missouri
and LSU used. That is to slow down Johnny Manziel and shut down Mike Evans. A
large part of the latter responsibility will fall on Cockrell. He recently earned his second
consecutive first-team All-ACC selection. Cockrell led the Blue Devils with 12 pass
breakups and snagged three interceptions, while tallying 36 tackles during the regular
season.
LB Kelby Brown: Brown is one of the most underrated
defensive players in college football. In 12 games this season,
he tallied 106 tackles. His 9.2 tackles per contest ranked
second in the ACC. The redshirt junior also recorded 8.5
tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble
recoveries and an interception. He will have to be on top of his
game to help slow down the zone-read offense of the Aggies.
S Jeremy Cash: The Blue Devils run a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, and it really displays
Cash’s versatility. The former Ohio State Buckeye was outstanding in his first season
with Duke as he totaled 109 tackles on the season. He also has racked up four
interceptions and two forced fumbles. Against the Aggies, he will be used in several
different spots and will need to play fast and smart.
WR Jamison Crowder: The dynamic wide receiver only needs 18 yards to break
Duke's single-season receiving yards record. He has already broken one program
record with 88 receptions. For the year he has 1,131 yards and seven touchdowns.
While Duke needs Crowder to have a big receiving game to compete with the Aggies, it
is his special teams contributions that could help the Blue Devils win the game. Duke
will not be able to match the Aggies point-for-point. However, a couple big plays on
special teams could be the difference. Crowder has already returned two punts for
touchdowns. As a result, he was the only player to earn All-ACC honors at multiple
positions.
LB David Helton: Helton is the Rodney Dangerfield of the ACC because he gets no
respect. Despite leading the ACC in tackles (114), he was not selected on the allconference team. However, his Blue Devil teammates know how good he is and how
much he will be needed in this game. Much of the Aggies’ success is because of broken
tackles. Helton will be the first one with a shot at Manziel and Co., and they will need to
minimize the Aggies’ yards after contact.