Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Quote of the week: Are we favored?" coach David Cutcliffe asked during his weekly news conference. "Lord have mercy."
That’s right, Blue Devils, you’re expected to win this game against Maryland this weekend. Duke took a step forward last year in winning one ACC game, now it’s time to take the next step and win two. But Duke is capable of more than that. A win at Virginia seems unlikely because it’s on the road and the Cavaliers will be seeking redemption from last year’s loss. But Duke has more offense than North Carolina, and it can beat Wake Forest at home. Last year, Duke lost to the Deacs 33-30 in overtime, and lost to UNC 28-20. This is Thaddeus Lewis' senior year, and he intends to go to a bowl game. He's got six more chances to find four more wins. It's not going to be easy, but considering how unpredictable the ACC has been, it's possible.
Best-case scenario: Duke picks up three more wins against Maryland, UNC, Virginia and Wake Forest, and heads to a bowl game for the first time since 1994. Duke is crowned the unofficial “state champs” this year.
Worst-case scenario: The Blue Devils finish no better than they did last year, with one conference win.
Prediction: Duke wins four ACC games but because NC Central is still in the provisional phase of becoming an FCS school, it doesn't count towards bowl eligibility and the Blue Devils are home for Christmas.
Quote of the week: Are we favored?" coach David Cutcliffe asked during his weekly news conference. "Lord have mercy."
That’s right, Blue Devils, you’re expected to win this game against Maryland this weekend. Duke took a step forward last year in winning one ACC game, now it’s time to take the next step and win two. But Duke is capable of more than that. A win at Virginia seems unlikely because it’s on the road and the Cavaliers will be seeking redemption from last year’s loss. But Duke has more offense than North Carolina, and it can beat Wake Forest at home. Last year, Duke lost to the Deacs 33-30 in overtime, and lost to UNC 28-20. This is Thaddeus Lewis' senior year, and he intends to go to a bowl game. He's got six more chances to find four more wins. It's not going to be easy, but considering how unpredictable the ACC has been, it's possible.
Best-case scenario: Duke picks up three more wins against Maryland, UNC, Virginia and Wake Forest, and heads to a bowl game for the first time since 1994. Duke is crowned the unofficial “state champs” this year.
Worst-case scenario: The Blue Devils finish no better than they did last year, with one conference win.
Prediction: Duke wins four ACC games but because NC Central is still in the provisional phase of becoming an FCS school, it doesn't count towards bowl eligibility and the Blue Devils are home for Christmas.
Heather Dinich | email
College Football- ESPN.com ACC blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Wrote for The Baltimore Sun
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
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