So here we are, it’s the end of November and we are facing our last regular season opponent of the year. How fun is that to say? Not “our last opponent”, but our last REGULAR SEASON opponent! That’s right, boys and girls; Duke is going bowling this year. Where we are off to is a discussion for another day, and should be known by the end of this weekend, so let’s talk about the state of affairs that is the Duke football program as it now stands.

As fans, we have LOVED this season, culminating in the joy that was Jamison Crowder’s TD catch to beat the Tarheels and finally being able to ring the Victory Bell. Since that game though, Duke has faced tough times.  Two blowout losses to Florida State and Clemson dampened the mood a bit, and the tough loss to a Georgia Tech team that we couldn’t stop from moving the ball has put us in the throes of a 3 game losing streak. November has not been a kind month to the football team traditionally; Coach Cutcliffe has only one win under his belt, that was against UVA in 2010. He has often spoke of how November defines the season, and to a large extent that is true since it was the last month of play and the one we remember.

So does the current skid mean that Duke is back to its old ways? Not one bit. It is simply a sign that we still have lots of improvement left to work on, but to know we are bowling is the proof we are getting there. Look at the teams we lost to in our current streak.

·         Florida State…at Florida State. Sheesh…they are on a talent level that is astronomically different than our own. Unfortunately we picked the worst of days to play flatly as well; all aspects of our game were off that afternoon. But still, we did score, and forced 4 turnovers, so there’s that.

·         Clemson…at home. As with FSU, they are just on a different plane than the Blue Devils. There is a reason both teams are or have been in the top 10. Still, we put up 20, and once again forced turnovers. Hell, the only team that has beaten them this year is FSU!

·         Georgia Tech…wish we had played them in September before they fired Al Groh! But they took action and fixed their defensive woes. They play the option better than anyone in the country..hell even the camera guy can’t figure out where the ball is. And to top it off, they basically played a perfect game, and that’s hard for any team to do. It also makes it damn near impossible for another team to beat them. Still, we played a really great first half…we were in that game until late in the third quarter.

And now we have Miami. A team that is really much like Duke. On the field, they have more talent than we do, but they’ve proven they are vulnerable. We’ve proven we are pretty good at exploiting vulnerabilities. The question is, will we make them pay like we’ve done against Wake and UNC, or will we be unable to turn their problems into our points like we did against FSU and Clemson? We will find out soon enough.

Win or lose, Duke is on a better path. The future is here for our football team; all the effort that Ted Roof’s and Coach Cut’s recruits have put into improving what happens on the field is paying off. We are playing better, we are recruiting better, we are filling more of the stands. It’s pain and progress, but at least “progress” is now truly in the mix.

Let’s Go Duke!!!!
---Chris Wagner (CameronBornAndBred)

After being drubbed 48-7 by Florida State and 56-20 by Clemson in back-to-back games, I've read comments on various Duke message boards communicating a desire not to advance to the ACCCG in Charlotte on December 1st.  The basic attitude appears to be something along the lines of, "Why should we root for an outcome that will result in another drubbing at the hands of Florida State or Clemson?"

Pure poppycock!

Every Duke fan should be looking for a victory over Georgia Tech in order to set-up a Coastal Division Championship showdown with Miami on November 24 in Wallace Wade Stadium. 
Every Duke fan should relish the opportunity to beat Miami to get another chance at the Seminoles or Tigers. Who knows? We might actually beat them. Stranger things have happened in sports over the years.
It wouldn't bother me to face off against Florida State (or Clemson) in Charlotte and then have to face Stanford again in the Sun Bowl.  What's the worst possible outcome?  We lose!  Any Duke Football fan worth their salt isn't afraid of losing.

What's the best possible outcome?  We win and advance to the Orange Bowl in Miami. I like oranges.  With the appearance in the Orange Bowl (or the Sun Bowl), we grab the attention of some 4* and 5* recruits who can actually read and write that decide to commit to Duke, which improves the program.  Yes, the program.  The ACCCG and the Bowl Game are not solely about this year, they are about building the future of the program.
However, the ACCCG and Bowl Game are not solely about the future.  They are equally about this year.  How can any Duke fan deny Conner Vernon, Sean Renfree, Lee Butler, Desmond Scott, Brian Moore, Walt Canty or any of the other seniors the opportunity to head to Charlotte and experience playing in a Championship Game!
It's bye week and we need to rest, heal and prepare for the Yellow Jackets.

Go Duke! Beat Georgia Tech!  Go Duke!  Beat Miami!

--Bob Green