What Duke Football's Second Scrimmage Could Reveal

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The Duke football program will have its second scrimmage of fall training camp this weekend.

The Blue Devils' first scrimmage featured some interesting storylines about which guys are potentially making a move up the depth chart, fighting for a starting spot, or showing early signs of a potential breakout season in Durham.

For head coach Manny Diaz and his staff, there is still plenty to figure out over the next couple of weeks before Duke kicks its regular season off on Sep. 5 against Tulane.

Arguably the most intriguing position battle of the preseason is at the quarterback spot, where San Jose State transfer Walker Eget and redshirt freshman Dan Mahan are in a duel for the starting QB role.

The Blue Devils' second scrimmage could potentially create a leader.

Could Eget or Mahan Emerge at Duke's Second Scrimmage?

In Diaz's latest press conference earlier this week, it didn't seem like either Eget or Mahan had created much separation, and it could be a while before the team ultimately decides who its starting quarterback will be.

"You know, we're not even considering the separation aspect of it," Diaz said. "We're looking at Walker [Eget] and Dan [Mahan] and, are they able to move the football and execute in our offense? They certainly both have slightly differing skill sets, and, you know, now you have a chance to, maybe this week, really try to highlight each of their strengths."

"But, I think the team believes in both guys and I think they both have enough evidence of what they've done in the first 11 practices to show that they can quarterback the team. What it's going to come down to as we get to the weekend, again, is who can eliminate the negative plays. The decisions that really have a chance to impact winning and losing."

Time Running Out

Now, it's not like whichever quarterback Diaz and Co. ultimately decide to start in Week 1 against the Green Wave has to be the starter for the entire year, but it's an interesting dynamic to break down the battle between two guys with very different stories.

Eget has two seasons of starting experience with the Spartans, accumulating over 5,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. However, he has never done it at the Power Conference level. On the flip side, Mahan possesses dual-threat ability and some promise, but he's never seen any in-game action.

This weekend's scrimmage could potentially create a leader in the clubhouse.

Today's best reads

• One Duke Football Position Battle Has Already Taken Interesting Turn
• Biggest Winners and Losers From Duke Football's First Scrimmage
• Why Duke QB Walker Eget in Very Interesting Position
• One Duke Football Position Battle That Might've Shifted This Week
• Breaking Down Duke Football's 1-2 Punch at Running Back

This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/duke as What Duke Football's Second Scrimmage Could Reveal.

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