Getting a jump on things

It isn't quite basketball season yet, but jump balls are on Duke coach David Cutcliffe's mind.

"It was jump ball after jump ball, and we got beat," Cutcliffe said, referring to passes thrown into traffic by N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson in the Wolfpack's 27-17 victory in Durham a year ago. "When we get locked up one-on-one, our guys have got to compete."

Virginia Tech had success with the same approach a week ago, and the Hokies aren't nearly the passing team that the Pack is.

SECONDARY CONCERNS

N.C. State also is scrambling to repair its pass defense, and Duke just happens to lead the ACC in passing offense.

But will Duke quarterback Thad Lewis be able to get the ball to his receivers before N.C. State's rushers get to him? The Wolfpack leads the ACC with 16 sacks.

SPECIAL EMPHASIS

N.C. State has struggled covering punts and kickoffs, and Duke has some capable return men in Johnny Williams and Conner Vernon. The Wolfpack, which returned a kickoff for a touchdown at Duke in 2008, has a weapon in speedster T.J. Graham. If one team can answer a score by taking a kickoff the distance, that could settle the score.

-- BRYAN STRICKLAND