Bowl Bound Duke Football 2024 - Diaz Dawning (7-3, 3-3 ACC)

[CameronBornAndBred]

Last night's game was interesting. We saw a better running game, but obviously not everything was firing on the cylinders they needed to be. Unless we see a major improvement after the MTSU game, the ACC run could be a very ugly one. Still time to work things out, but not much.

I don't remember being as nervous after starting off 3-0.

[Bob Green]

I don't remember being as nervous after starting off 3-0.

This team is different than what we’re used to so it makes us all nervous. My expectation is ACC teams are going to blitz us constantly to challenge Murphy’s lack of mobility.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I don't remember being as nervous after starting off 3-0.

This team is different than what we’re used to so it makes us all nervous. My expectation is ACC teams are going to blitz us constantly to challenge Murphy’s lack of mobility.

I agree. I'd actually feel good about that if the receiving corps had a higher success rate on catching his throws. He seems to be pretty accurate, but we are suffering a severe case of the drops. (Drops and literal inch misses)

A blitz means that someone downfield is open, and that's great if the guy that's open can catch it.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Per a post from Bob OY, and the ACC, Duke - Cheaters will be at 4pm on ESPN2. Tailgate threads will be posted this evening.


https://theacc.com/news/2024/9/16/acc-a ... works.aspx

[Bob Green]

We will wear all white with the hell raiser helmet:

https://x.com/dukefootball/status/18368 ... 4G-UXXVtSw

[Bob Green]

Score prediction: Duke 41, MTSU 17.

The offense is going to click today.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Score prediction: Duke 41, MTSU 17.

The offense is going to click today.

Somehow our “26” is going to figure into the score. Maybe 43-17?

[CameronBornAndBred]

Not easy watching the game, and it wasn't only because of the weather and ESPN's screwy catchup feed. We won, but we were supposed to. I'm still worried about how Murphy and the receiving corps will do against real ACC competition.

Thankfully, I'm less worried about our running game.

[Bob Green]

ESPN Football Power Index gives Duke a 57.2% chance to beat the Cheats.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Duke has votes for the time this year, getting 14 in the coaches poll. None in the AP.

[Bob Green]

My score prediction for MTSU game was really close. I predicted 41-17, actual score was 45-17. Can I do it again? Probably not but whatever…

Duke 30, Carolina 27

[Bob Green]

Duke wearing all black:

https://x.com/dukefootball/status/18394 ... 4G-UXXVtSw

[CameronBornAndBred]

Duke wearing all black:

https://x.com/dukefootball/status/18394 ... 4G-UXXVtSw

Guarantees we're gonna get the shit beat out of us.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I said all first half, and a good bit of the second, that I don't like Maalik Murphy. (As a player, I'm sure he's a nice person.)

As a QB, he's a robot, throws to where he's programmed to throw it, regardless of the scenario. He doesn't read the field and winds up throwing to nobody.

However, I wasn't complaining after a couple few very nice throws last night when the stars aligned. I'm still not a Murhpy fan...but having one of those aligned stars named STAR certainly helped!



Remember when we were very worried about our running game? The team ran for a total of 187 yards last night, Thomas ate up 166 of them.
By the way, the total yardage would have been more, but Maalik ran 22 of them the wrong direction.

[CameronBornAndBred]

ESPN's bowl projections as of today.

Dec 31st
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
2 p.m., CBS
Bonagura: Boston College vs. Utah
Schlabach: Duke vs. Washington

Jan 3rd
Duke's Mayo Bowl
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Duke vs. Nebraska
Schlabach: Boston College vs. Rutgers

[Bob Green]

Duke opens as an approximately 8 points underdog against Georgia Tech. I say approximately because I’m seeing 7.5 to 8.5 at different locations.

Georgia Tech looked great beating Florida State Week 1 but FSU is 1-4 through five weeks so GT’s big win looks less impressive. The Yellow Jackets are 3-2 with both losses coming on the road at Syracuse and at Louisville. Their other two wins are over Georgia State and VMI.

Georgia Tech is a quality team with a quarterback who can pass and run but I like our chances. As I said prior to the Carolina game, Duke will be the best defense they’ve faced this season. We need the offense to start faster.

[CameronBornAndBred]

We need the offense to start faster.

Or at least do something before halftime.

[CameronBornAndBred]

This is a great article on both Diaz and Duke. It's not just a pat on the back, but gives a good behind the scenes look at Duke's commitment to the program.

“I straight up asked President (Vincent) Price in a one-on-one interview,” Diaz said. “What if this happens and that … is Duke committed to stay at the highest level of college athletics? He looked me dead in the eye, ‘Duke is absolutely committed to compete at the highest level of football.’’

That’s echoed too by King.

“We do not want to be left out. We feel like we are putting in the investment, whether resources or people or facilities, etc.,” King said. “We want to make sure our program is in the next iteration, whatever it is. We are in a good position right now. Not sure you could have said that 5-10 years ago. We will be attractive. We’ll be able to go in with that next group of schools, whoever they are and break off.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/led-by-manny-d ... 29812.html

[Bob Green]

It’s Thursday. Must be prediction day.

Duke 31, Georgia Tech 28

In GT’s two losses this season, their opponent scored 31 points. Duke makes it three.

[devildeac]

Our offense is pretty lame but that was some of the most dishonest and blatantly shitty reffing I've ever witnessed outside of the 2022 and 2023 Duke-cheater games.