FB: @unc 11/7 12:00 espn2

[Dev11]

Per GoDuke, the football game at UNC is going to be in the early slot, with the exact time and station TBD.

We can worry about this next week after we beat Miami without its head coach or quarterback, but I wanted to get it up here so people can begin their gripes about how the ACC/ESPN/old gods don't love us enough.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Per GoDuke, the football game at UNC is going to be in the early slot, with the exact time and station TBD.

We can worry about this next week after we beat Miami without its head coach or quarterback, but I wanted to get it up here so people can begin their gripes about how the ACC/ESPN/old gods don't love us enough.
I like the time for greedy reasons, since I think it gives us a better shot at a later game vs. Pitt. It IS surprising that a potential Coastal championship game is being played so early. I'm sure Cut's happy.

[CameronBornAndBred]

FSU vs Clemson is at 3:30, so we are better off not competing against that game.

[wilson]

I have a wedding to attend that night, so the early timeslot is absolutely perfect for me. Happy to hear this news.

[BigWayne]

Per GoDuke, the football game at UNC is going to be in the early slot, with the exact time and station TBD.

We can worry about this next week after we beat Miami without its head coach or quarterback, but I wanted to get it up here so people can begin their gripes about how the ACC/ESPN/old gods don't love us enough.

We are likely to be on one of the three major channels, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2, especially if both UNC and Duke win this weekend.. The games we are up against in that slot are involving middle to bottom teams from the B10 and SEC as well as the NCSU/BC game. The game we will be behind in priority is ND at Pitt, especially if Pitt beats UNC like we want them to.

[Olympic Fan]

We are likely to be on one of the three major channels, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2, especially if both UNC and Duke win this weekend.. The games we are up against in that slot are involving middle to bottom teams from the B10 and SEC as well as the NCSU/BC game. The game we will be behind in priority is ND at Pitt, especially if Pitt beats UNC like we want them to.

Duke-UNC is not a candidate for ABC -- either regional or national.

But I agree with you that we are very likely to have an ESPN or ESPN2 or ESPNU showing ... I think ACC network is very unlikely.

I was disappointed to see the lineup. Not only did I think Duke-UNC game deserved at least a 3:30 p.m. window, but I also thought that FSU-Clemson -- a game with national title implications -- would get a 7 pm ABC slot.

I haven't seen the announcement, but it's pretty obvious that ABC is clearing the prime time spot for LSU at Alabama.

[OldPhiKap]

Duke-UNC is not a candidate for ABC -- either regional or national.

But I agree with you that we are very likely to have an ESPN or ESPN2 or ESPNU showing ... I think ACC network is very unlikely.

I was disappointed to see the lineup. Not only did I think Duke-UNC game deserved at least a 3:30 p.m. window, but I also thought that FSU-Clemson -- a game with national title implications -- would get a 7 pm ABC slot.

I haven't seen the announcement, but it's pretty obvious that ABC is clearing the prime time spot for LSU at Alabama.

As much of an ACC homer as I am, LSU-'Bama is the objective game of the day easy. Would be even if FSU was undefeated I expect; their loss to a (then) 2-5 Tech team took a lot of polish off the apple.

Also, we got the prime Thursday spot last year for the UNC game -- and didn't show up. So it's not like we haven't been given a fair shot in the past. We just need to earn it back.

[awhom111]

Duke-UNC is not a candidate for ABC -- either regional or national.

But I agree with you that we are very likely to have an ESPN or ESPN2 or ESPNU showing ... I think ACC network is very unlikely.

I was disappointed to see the lineup. Not only did I think Duke-UNC game deserved at least a 3:30 p.m. window, but I also thought that FSU-Clemson -- a game with national title implications -- would get a 7 pm ABC slot.

I haven't seen the announcement, but it's pretty obvious that ABC is clearing the prime time spot for LSU at Alabama.

Any other week and they would want FSU-Clemson in primetime, but given recent LSU-Alabama ratings on CBS, it makes more sense for ESPN to throw another game to the wolves or tigers and they chose Minnesota-Ohio State. There may be other B1G broadcast requirements in play there too.

I am really struggling to come up with any argument for why we would be on ACC network. The fact that there is even a split window on that day should have everyone blaming Swofford.

I think ABC is likely for Notre Dame-Pitt. Kentucky-Georgia is probably the slight favorite for ESPN, leaving Vanderbilt-Florida for SEC Network. That probably leaves us battling a B1G game for ESPN2.

[awhom111]

Updated now for ESPN2:
http://www.theacc.com/news/acc-announces-game-times-networks-for-football-games-on-november-7-10-26-2015

[Dev11]

Updated now for ESPN2:
http://www.theacc.com/news/acc-announces-game-times-networks-for-football-games-on-november-7-10-26-2015

Thanks for the heads up. Thread edited.

Go to hell, Carolina. Go to hell.

[OldPhiKap]

Bump. Next play. Time for revenge.

[duke09hms]

OK, so thoughts on how we match up with UNC on Saturday?

It seems our players start believing their own hype, record, and rankings, forgetting that we are still less physically talented than most of the ACC teams we face. We only win if we out-think, out-execute, and out-coach our opponents. Any let up, and we will pay. 2014 UNC game, last night, even VT, we have the unfortunate mental weakness of playing down to our competition. Hopefully the robbery will burnish that lesson into our heads, and hopefully our boys are more mentally tough than Cut's Ole Miss players or else we have absolutely no chance against UNC.

Even before our Miami loss* I was concerned about this game. Their offense is explosive with big athletic WRs and TEs, speedy slot receiver in Switzer, an accurate senior QB who can run, and a great RB in Elijah Hood who's averaging 6.2 ypc and 1 TD/game. These last few weeks, our defense has been somewhat exposed after feasting on early weak competition and one-dimensional offenses. It's still a good defense but nowhere near elite. VT isn't known for offense and moved it at will, and Miami with a brand new QB who received few P5 offers also scored on us fairly easily even after spotting us ~190 penalty yds. Miami converted multiple 2nd/3rd and longs through the air. The Heels can score in bunches. With UNC averaging 34 ppg against P5 competition, it's far from obvious how our defense will hold them down.

Defensively, they seem to be much more solid this year. Though similar to us, they hadn't really played anyone this year with a potent offense until they held Pitt to 19 pts last week. Haven't really watched their games this year, so can't comment.

Also, we need to fix our special teams like now.

ESPN has our win percentage at 25%, and sadly that seems about right. If we're not fully over last night, and sheesh I don't blame them if they're not, I can easily see a repeat of last year's blowout. We probably need to win the TO battle by at least 2 to have a chance. Some makeup calls by the ACC would be nice ... that's right, no shame in taking it. I'll be in NYC watching from the Duke bar in Gramercy with a few other classmates if anyone is in town.

P.S. If Scottie Montgomery gets run into on the sideline and knocked out, can we wake him up and tell him he's Steve Spurrier?

[Bob Green]

OK, so thoughts on how we match up with UNC on Saturday?

I have lots of thoughts. Coach Cutcliffe stated the team has to tighten up the kicking game. The specialists have to be where they need to be. We cannot afford to gift Carolina's talented offense a short field.

Speaking of Carolina's offense:

* Marquise Williams is a big talented dual threat quarterback who is completing 66% of his passes and has run for over 500 yards.
* Elijah Hood is an elite running back averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He has rushed for 744 yards and eight TDs.
* The line-up includes multiple receivers who possess big play explosiveness. Mack Hollins leads the way with six TD receptions including one for 64 yards; Ryan Switzer has the most receptions (30), reception yards (424) and is second in TDs at three including one for 71 yards; Bug Howard has 19 receptions and two TDS; Quinshad Davis has 33 receptions and one TD.
* In ACC games, Carolina is averaging 35 points per game.

Carolina has the pieces to spread the field with their receivers while simultaneously executing a power running game with Elijah Hood. Our defense needs to pressure Williams with limited blitzing. It is difficult to blitz and cover multiple talented receivers. Fortunately, Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles is a talented coach who can devise an effective game plan. My confidence is high the defense will be prepared and will successfully contain the Tar Heels offense, but we will not stop them. They are going to score their fair share of points...

...which means our offense is going to have to be hitting on all eight cylinders! In order to beat North Carolina, the defense must play a very strong game while the offense has to provide support by scoring a lot of points. Special teams need to tighten up in order to provide advantageous field position all afternoon.

That's my two cents early Monday morning.

[sandinmyshoes]

I hope our offense is clicking on all eleven cylinders. :)

I think Coach Cut is the best game planner in the conference, so we have an edge there.

Their defense is mediocre between the twenties but seems to tighten up in the red zone.

I think we play ball control on offense. Their offense can't score when they don't have the ball.

That said, they are scary explosive on offense and have won a number of games while losing the time of possession by a wide margin.

[OldPhiKap]

Bump.

I am done with articles about the Miami game. It is past, history, done.

If we beat Carolina, we are still rolling towards Charlotte. And we owe them some payback.

9F. Warm and muggy here, the gates of Hell must just be starting to creak open.

[Sixthman]

I am afraid that UNC is under rated nationally. Their competition has been uneven, but their execution seems to be improving as the year goes on. It is perhaps a small blessing to go into the game with Duke not being the higher ranked team -- Carolina does not get the added advantage of playing with a chip on their shoulders. Fedora wants big offense and lots of points. We will need more defensive line depth than we showed agsinst Miami. It is also imperative that we not have the slow offensive start which has sometimes afflicted us this year.

[AustinDevil]

Hopefully the robbery will burnish that lesson into our heads, and hopefully our boys are more mentally tough than Cut's Ole Miss players or else we have absolutely no chance against UNC.

It's a huge plus for Duke this week that Cut has been through this before, and learned from it in terms of team preparation for the rest of the season.

[Dukehky]

Carolina is a really good football team. They are coming off a long rest, while our defense has been on the fields for eons over the last two weeks. We open as 8.5 point dogs.

All that being said, Puck them, I hope Jeremy Cash decapitates Marquise Williams. Sirk, HAS TO HIT OPEN RECEIVERS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDELINE. Chapel Hill sucks, it's the worst city in the triangle and that's not arguable.

[devildeac]

If Ozzie doesn't start The Thread soon, perhaps there needs to be a recall vote for Mt. Hatemore...

Moonpie is waiting...

[Olympic Fan]

Personally, I'm through agonizing about the Miami screw job.

Next play.

This game will be a great test of the resiliency of these Duke kids (and the staff).

I would hope they use what happened Saturday night as motivation to move forward.

And I also hope they remember how class-lessly UNC behaved when they won at Wade last year and trashed our visiting locker room.

Going into the game, I don't think UNC has been especially impressive -- it's hard to tell, UNC and Duke have just one common opponent (Georgia Tech). Otherwise, they've played two other solid teams -- choking away the game with South Carolina and edging Pitt 26-19. Do you consider a 26-13 win at home against Virginia to be all that intimidating? A big win at home over Wake Forest?

Granted, they have an explosive offense and an improved defense.

The thing that most concerns me going in are the special teams. For most of the last two and a half seasons, that's been a Duke strength. It was the main reason we beat Georgia Tech as we did.

But we had several special teams letdowns against Northwestern. And last week, our special teams were terrible (after the fumble recovery on the opening kickoff). For the second week in a row, the most accurate FG kicker in Duke history missed a mid-range kick; the punter with the best career average in Duke history cost us with a shank; our kick returns were poor and for the third time in the last nine games, we have up a kickoff return TD (okay, I recognize how bogus that was).

We've GOT to win the special teams this week. UNC is the worst punting team in the ACC (in net yardage), but they do everything else well -- they have one of the best kick returners around in Ryan Switzer.

Win this game and we're back in the driver's seat for Charlotte ... lose it and we can start debating which minor bowl we'll play in.

[Bob Green]

Win this game and we're back in the driver's seat for Charlotte ... lose it and we can start debating which minor bowl we'll play in.

As the quote above succinctly states, this week's game is extremely important in determining the season's future. It is time to show the nation what Duke football is all about.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

As the quote above succinctly states, this week's game is extremely important in determining the season's future. It is time to show the nation what Duke football is all about.

Isn't it interesting how many times it comes down to this when Duke is going to play Carolina? This may appear to be a geographic rivalry, a rivalry of proximity, yet over the years it's been that and so much more.

[OldPhiKap]

If Ozzie doesn't start The Thread soon, perhaps there needs to be a recall vote for Mt. Hatemore...

Moonpie is waiting...

Perhaps he needs a cardiologist to check in on him after the weekend.

We could always start a provisional thread until he arrives -- it works in golf, it can work here too.

Or perhaps this is it. 9F

[devildeac]

Perhaps he needs a cardiologist to check in on him after the weekend.

We could always start a provisional thread until he arrives -- it works in golf, it can work here too.

Or perhaps this is it. 9F

Knowing Ozzie, I hope he doesn't need bail money after this weekend:mad:.

[Bob Green]

I'll be on pins and needles until Thursday when the injury report is posted. Lost in all the hoopla is Shaun Wilson limping badly off the field after being tackled and not returning to the game. Hopefully he is okay and ready to go on Saturday.

[Olympic Fan]

Isn't it interesting how many times it comes down to this when Duke is going to play Carolina? This may appear to be a geographic rivalry, a rivalry of proximity, yet over the years it's been that and so much more.

Well, to be accurate, I think this is the third year in a row where the Duke-UNC game had a large hand in the Coastal Division title, but the first where BOTH teams are still in contention.

In 2013, Duke clinched the title with a win in Chapel Hill (although in hindsight, Duke would have won the tiebreaker with Miami and Virginia Tech had we lost the UNC game). UNC was not in the race.

In 2014, Duke needed to beat UNC and Wake to close the regular season to win the tiebreaker with Georgia Tech. We lost and Tech went to Charlotte. UNC was not in the race.

This year, UNC leads the division, but Duke can essentially take over first place with a win in Chapel Hill ... although we still need to beat Pitt the next week. Still a long way to go, but this is definitely the pivotal game in the race -- for both teams.

Before 2013, I can't think of a Duke-UNC game that had an impact on the conference race since 1989, when we beat UNC in the finale to clinch a share of the ACC title.

I guess we were still in the ACC race in 2012 when we beat them early in Durham to go 3-1 in the ACC ... but that was so early ...we actually finished 3-5 that year (and UNC was on probation and not eligible to for the title).

In fact, I could be wrong, but I don't think UNC has entered a Duke-Carolina game with a chance to win a title of any kind since 1980 when they beat Duke in the finale to finish a game ahead of Maryland in the ACC standings.

If I missed one, please set me straight.

[OldPhiKap]

Carolina favored by 8 at the open.

[peloton]

I am done with articles about the Miami game. It is past, history, done.

Bingo! Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner! It's not all about The U; on the contrary, it's all about The Ewe (in Sea) this weekend. Duke football is 6-2 but I want to go 1-0 this coming Saturday in the worst way. Let's hope we don't hear any players say this year that they were surprised by the Heels' intensity (as was the case last year). I would think that the team is "a bit eager" to get the bad taste out of their mouths and take it out on our (win at all costs) neighbors down the road...I certainly would be.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Well, to be accurate, I think this is the third year in a row where the Duke-UNC game had a large hand in the Coastal Division title, but the first where BOTH teams are still in contention.

In 2013, Duke clinched the title with a win in Chapel Hill (although in hindsight, Duke would have won the tiebreaker with Miami and Virginia Tech had we lost the UNC game). UNC was not in the race.

In 2014, Duke needed to beat UNC and Wake to close the regular season to win the tiebreaker with Georgia Tech. We lost and Tech went to Charlotte. UNC was not in the race.

This year, UNC leads the division, but Duke can essentially take over first place with a win in Chapel Hill ... although we still need to beat Pitt the next week. Still a long way to go, but this is definitely the pivotal game in the race -- for both teams.

Before 2013, I can't think of a Duke-UNC game that had an impact on the conference race since 1989, when we beat UNC in the finale to clinch a share of the ACC title.

I guess we were still in the ACC race in 2012 when we beat them early in Durham to go 3-1 in the ACC ... but that was so early ...we actually finished 3-5 that year (and UNC was on probation and not eligible to for the title).

In fact, I could be wrong, but I don't think UNC has entered a Duke-Carolina game with a chance to win a title of any kind since 1980 when they beat Duke in the finale to finish a game ahead of Maryland in the ACC standings.

If I missed one, please set me straight.

I'm taking a long term view, not just recent championship possibilities but rather over the course of the rivalry.

[killerleft]

Carolina is a really good football team. They are coming off a long rest, while our defense has been on the fields for eons over the last two weeks. We open as 8.5 point dogs.

All that being said, Puck them, I hope Jeremy Cash decapitates Marquise Williams. Sirk, HAS TO HIT OPEN RECEIVERS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDELINE. Chapel Hill sucks, it's the worst city in the triangle and that's not arguable.

Chapel Hill is the wart on the butt that is UNCheat. Go Duke!

[Edouble]

Hate football.

Hate Tarheels more than football.

Go Devils!!!

[DukeDevilDeb]

Per GoDuke, the football game at UNC is going to be in the early slot, with the exact time and station TBD.

We can worry about this next week after we beat Miami without its head coach or quarterback, but I wanted to get it up here so people can begin their gripes about how the ACC/ESPN/old gods don't love us enough.

Too bad you had to jinx us. :mad:

[martydoesntfoul]

As we head into Saturday's game...

THE BAD
- sputtering offense
- defensive dominance waning
- erratic special teams
- emotionally gutted
- heavy underdogs

THE GOOD
- opportunity to take back the Coastal
- can avenge last year's humiliation and post-game antics
- it's our most hated rival
- deep down they think we're going to roll over
- we have not yet put together a complete game vs. a Power 5 team
- the country is behind us

SO WHAT DO I THINK WE WILL WE GET?
- the most focused/intense team we've seen in the Cut era on EVERY play
- a performance we will all be proud of

I want this win so badly. Let's hit them with an inferno so early and completely that they never have a chance to recover.

[duke79]

As we head into Saturday's game...

THE BAD
- sputtering offense
- defensive dominance waning
- erratic special teams
- emotionally gutted
- heavy underdogs

THE GOOD
- opportunity to take back the Coastal
- can avenge last year's humiliation and post-game antics
- it's our most hated rival
- deep down they think we're going to roll over
- we have not yet put together a complete game vs. a Power 5 team
- the country is behind us

SO WHAT DO I THINK WE WILL WE GET?
- the most focused/intense team we've seen in the Cut era on EVERY play
- a performance we will all be proud of

I want this win so badly. Let's hit them with an inferno so early and completely that they never have a chance to recover.

Succinct and accurate analysis of what Duke faces. We HAVE to play better this week than how we played against Miami. Yea, we got screwed on that last play (and I still can't believe we lost on such a BS play!) but, let's face reality and despite what the stats might show on paper, Miami outplayed us for most of the game. I'm afraid we'll lose big against Caroline IF we don't play better on both offense and (especially) defense.

[oldnavy]

I think it would be really cool if:

- after we win, the players show no emotion and walk off the field like it was a practice, sort of a drop the mike walk off...
AND not even acknowledge the Victory Bell.... just leave it there

sending the message to UNC and their fans, "UNC is dead to us"....


Anybody else think that would be cool or am I losing it here on the coast??

[75Crazie]

I think it would be really cool if:

- after we win, the players show no emotion and walk off the field like it was a practice, sort of a drop the mike walk off...
AND not even acknowledge the Victory Bell... just leave it there

sending the message to UNC and their fans, "UNC is dead to us"...


Anybody else think that would be cool or am I losing it here on the coast??
A big thumbs-up for this suggestion from this mile-and-a-half high perspective.

[killerleft]

I think it would be really cool if:

- after we win, the players show no emotion and walk off the field like it was a practice, sort of a drop the mike walk off...
AND not even acknowledge the Victory Bell... just leave it there

sending the message to UNC and their fans, "UNC is dead to us"...


Anybody else think that would be cool or am I losing it here on the coast??

Wheteher you're losing it or not, our guys will have that bell in their possession and painted Duke Blue in a New York minute. Now all they have to do is win it back and not have the refs steal the game from us!

[DU82]

Wheteher you're losing it or not, our guys will have that bell in their possession and painted Duke Blue in a New York minute. Now all they have to do is win it back and not have the refs steal the game from us!

While I want the bell back, I'd prefer that we not use any spray paint on Saturday. Paint it when it's back in Durham. Because some paint might inadvertently get on the grass, and the sheep will equate that to causing $25K of damage in our locker room.

[84crazy]

I think it would be really cool if:

- after we win, the players show no emotion and walk off the field like it was a practice, sort of a drop the mike walk off...
AND not even acknowledge the Victory Bell... just leave it there

sending the message to UNC and their fans, "UNC is dead to us"...


Anybody else think that would be cool or am I losing it here on the coast??

Ummm NO too much trying to be cool in the world we need heart and work ethic

[Bob Green]

- sputtering offense

I categorize "sputtering offense" as an overstatement although I will concede "slow start on offense" as a concern for this week's game against Carolina. Can the offense be more efficient and productive? Absolutely! But it isn't anemic. The offense remains a work in progress and it would be beneficial to jump out in front of Carolina instead of playing from behind like we did against Miami. The offense is averaging 23.5 points during regulation against conference opponents:

Georgia Tech - 34
Boston College - 9
Virginia Tech - 24
Miami - 27

That isn't "sputtering" in my book.

[martydoesntfoul]

I categorize "sputtering offense" as an overstatement although I will concede "slow start on offense" as a concern for this week's game against Carolina. Can the offense be more efficient and productive? Absolutely! But it isn't anemic. The offense remains a work in progress and it would be beneficial to jump out in front of Carolina instead of playing from behind like we did against Miami. The offense is averaging 23.5 points during regulation against conference opponents:

Georgia Tech - 34
Boston College - 9
Virginia Tech - 24
Miami - 27

That isn't "sputtering" in my book.

I hear you Bob. Perhaps 'inconsistent' would have been a better word choice. LGD!

[duke09hms]

I categorize "sputtering offense" as an overstatement although I will concede "slow start on offense" as a concern for this week's game against Carolina. Can the offense be more efficient and productive? Absolutely! But it isn't anemic. The offense remains a work in progress and it would be beneficial to jump out in front of Carolina instead of playing from behind like we did against Miami. The offense is averaging 23.5 points during regulation against conference opponents:

Georgia Tech - 34
Boston College - 9
Virginia Tech - 24
Miami - 27

That isn't "sputtering" in my book.

Yeah, that's not TOO bad especially given how bad we've looked for huge parts of each game. The ceiling is much higher if the offense can actually put together a full game. It looks anemic compared to the 35ppg UNC is putting up in ACC play. Also concerning is that UNC's defense will be the 3rd best defense we've seen all season, and the 2 better ones held us to 9/10 pts. Both of them were later exposed by better offenses - NWU giving up 38, 40, 28 to Michigan/Iowa/Nebraska and BC giving up 34 and 26 to Clemson/VT. UNC is better than all of those offenses except for Clemson, so we're probably going to need to score at least 30 points to keep up with their high-powered offense.

I just want to see some mental toughness from us for the entire game, unlike last year. UNC hit us hard, and we balled up in the fetal position. At home! Powell then comes out and says "We just didn’t expect them to play that hard. We thought it would be an easier game." Ridiculously poor preparation.

[75Crazie]

Ummm NO too much trying to be cool in the world we need heart and work ethic
Do you really care that much about a trophy over a "school" with no "ethic" whatsoever? The revelations about the Holes have irretrievably tarnished everything that the trophy should represent ... at least, in my mind. It is just not worth fighting over.

[Channing]

Do you really care that much about a trophy over a "school" with no "ethic" whatsoever? The revelations about the Holes have irretrievably tarnished everything that the trophy should represent ... at least, in my mind. It is just not worth fighting over.

Yes...I really really really want to beat UNC every time we play them in any sport. The revelations about UNC has tarnished the school in my opinion, but done nothing to lessen the rivalry.

[75Crazie]

I did not say I didn't care about beating them, I hate them as much as ever. I am saying I now do not care one whit for getting a silly trophy for beating them, because that trophy is tainted by their actions. Having a trophy for the head-to-head games indicates some level of regard that each school has for the other, and I for one have no regard whatsoever for them now.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

While I want the bell back, I'd prefer that we not use any spray paint on Saturday. Paint it when it's back in Durham. Because some paint might inadvertently get on the grass, and the sheep will equate that to causing $25K of damage in our locker room.
Soon after last year's memorable debacle in the locker room and practice facility, Coach Cutcliffe spoke to having no paint on hand for all future contests.

[killerleft]

Do you really care that much about a trophy over a "school" with no "ethic" whatsoever? The revelations about the Holes have irretrievably tarnished everything that the trophy should represent ... at least, in my mind. It is just not worth fighting over.

What is, when you really think about it????? Strange.

[AustinDevil]

I'm taking a long term view, not just recent championship possibilities but rather over the course of the rivalry.

You also worded your post in terms of this game's impact on how the season will go, not necessarily on winning a conference division. That definitely brings back in 2012, where we knew very well going into the UNC-CHeat game that we needed one more win for bowl eligibility, and that if we didn't get it that night, we were very unlikely to get it in the remaining games after UNC-CHeat.

[duke09hms]

100% chance of rain and thunderstorms over in Chapel Hill on Saturday. Could be good for us if it slows down their explosive offense and our DBs don't fall down.

[-bdbd]

100% chance of rain and thunderstorms over in Chapel Hill on Saturday. Could be good for us if it slows down their explosive offense and our DBs don't fall down.

Is that in reference to their collective mood (cloudy, stormy, etc) in CH after the game??? ;)

[OldPhiKap]

bump. Let's go Duke!

[devildeac]

Waiting for injury report...

Not hearing good news about one of our RB...

They can still GTH.

[Bob Green]

5672

[Class of '94]

Waiting for injury report...

Not hearing good news about one of our RB...

They can still GTH.

Yeah, Wilson is out as announced in another thread. Would this be a good time to play Nico more at RB than what he has done up to this point? I don't know if he is ready or if he is as explosive and fast as Shaun; but if the coaches want to have that dimension at RB, Nico seems like the next best option.

[OldPhiKap]

Yeah, Wilson is out as announced in another thread. Would this be a good time to play Nico more at RB than what he has done up to this point? I don't know if he is ready or if he is as explosive and fast as Shaun; but if the coaches want to have that dimension at RB, Nico seems like the next best option.

Agreed, I thought the same thing about Nico. I imagine he'll get some touches to see what he can do.

[Devilwin]

Shaun Wilson, out. Kyler Brown, back. Offense needs to pick it up, and defense needs to find the fire again. Oh. And lose the pass in the flat, it never works...:cool:

[ramdevil]

We just got an offer of two tickets to the Duke-UNC football game! We are nervous - the thought of being surrounded by all that gak blue. The folks who are giving us the tickets offered to loan us some gak blue clothes - we declined.

So who is going? Has anyone gone to one of these at Chapel Hill? What should we expect?

Go Duke! Go Duke Football!

ramdevil

[Indoor66]

We just got an offer of two tickets to the Duke-UNC football game! We are nervous - the thought of being surrounded by all that gak blue. The folks who are giving us the tickets offered to loan us some gak blue clothes - we declined.

So who is going? Has anyone gone to one of these at Chapel Hill? What should we expect?

Go Duke! Go Duke Football!

ramdevil

From what I've seen on TV, expect a lot of empty seats! :p;):cool:

[killerleft]

We just got an offer of two tickets to the Duke-UNC football game! We are nervous - the thought of being surrounded by all that gak blue. The folks who are giving us the tickets offered to loan us some gak blue clothes - we declined.

So who is going? Has anyone gone to one of these at Chapel Hill? What should we expect?

Go Duke! Go Duke Football!

ramdevil

I've sat with the goats several times and have only had to put up with a like amount of verbal abuse as I was willing to put out.;) Translation: I am never silent when it comes to cheering on the Blue Devils, so I hear a lot of stuff back.:) Never have I felt physically threatened, if that's what you mean. Go early, parking can be tough. Our shuttle experiences have been good.

A Carolina fan where I work has tickets, and expressed doubt that she would go if rain was a sure thing. I told her I would take them if she didn't want to go. Haven't heard back, yet.

[oldnavy]

I've sat with the goats several times and have only had to put up with a like amount of verbal abuse as I was willing to put out.;) Translation: I am never silent when it comes to cheering on the Blue Devils, so I hear a lot of stuff back.:) Never have I felt physically threatened, if that's what you mean. Go early, parking can be tough. Our shuttle experiences have been good.

A Carolina fan where I work has tickets, and expressed doubt that she would go if rain was a sure thing. I told her I would take them if she didn't want to go. Haven't heard back, yet.

REAL EARLY! They do parking in Chapel Hill about as well as they do academics!

[devildeac]

REAL EARLY! They do parking in Chapel Hill about as well as they do academics!

Sometimes even having tutors/donors pay for the accumulated parking tickets, whether a vehicle was registered or not:rolleyes:.

[allenmurray]

We just got an offer of two tickets to the Duke-UNC football game! We are nervous - the thought of being surrounded by all that gak blue. The folks who are giving us the tickets offered to loan us some gak blue clothes - we declined.

So who is going? Has anyone gone to one of these at Chapel Hill? What should we expect?

Go Duke! Go Duke Football!

ramdevil

My 16 year old son and one of his friends (both big Duke fans) are going. I didn't say "no" but I am genuinely worried about them

[CameronBornAndBred]

My 16 year old son and one of his friends (both big Duke fans) are going. I didn't say "no" but I am genuinely worried about them
That's awesome...TNT will be there too, I'll be watching from my warm, dry couch.

This post is mostly to serve the purpose of keeping it ahead of that other thread about misguided refs, since that thread really is so last week considering we are playing our biggest rival for some serious post season excitement tomorrow.

[Bob Green]

I'll be watching from my warm, dry couch.

Grandson and I will be watching on TV as well. We will probably be riding an emotional roller coaster throughout the afternoon, but perhaps Duke will rout the Heels. One can hope. Personally, I am predicting a close, hard fought affair: Duke 31, Carolina 27.

[DU82]

My 16 year old son and one of his friends (both big Duke fans) are going. I didn't say "no" but I am genuinely worried about them

The safest campus venue in the ACC for visiting fans is Duke, by far. The second safest is UNC, even when we're playing there. I've been to football, men's basketball and women's basketball events and have never had a problem, other than with traffic.

Of course, I act as a guest, instead of rubbing things in after we win (I left that to Elizabeth when I escorted her to games. Don't get me started about the Clemson incident. :rolleyes: )

Tell your son and his friend to act as a proper Duke fan, root for Duke, and things will be fine.

[brevity]

It's game day, and I wanted to point out something that's perversely amusing.

For the first time this season, UNC is ranked, in both the AP and Coaches Polls. They are, however, not ranked in the first College Football Playoff Rankings, and ESPN has elected to start using those numbers this week. If their TV coverage is anything like their website, ESPN still considers UNC an unranked team, and will place no numerical ranking next to UNC during the broadcast.

Carolina fans and The Case of the Missing Number. I look forward to casually monitoring their slow discovery, angry confusion, and unsatisfying resolution on Twitter.

[oldnavy]

My 16 year old son and one of his friends (both big Duke fans) are going. I didn't say "no" but I am genuinely worried about them

Are they up to date on their immunizations?

Tell them to not drink the water out of the fountains... I seriously believe the local water supply there has been compromised.... seriously!

[dukebb444]

I'm headed to the community college for the game. Sitting in sec 125 amongst the kerlina faithful with a gthc t-shirt on. Should be fun! Go Duke!!!

[Bob Green]

Here is a link to my Five Keys to Victory:

http://bluedevilnation.net/2015/11/five-keys-to-victory/


1. Win the Special Teams Battle
2. Stop Carolina's Run Game
3. Contain Quarterback Marquise Williams
4. Achieve Balance on Offense
5. Success on 3rd Down

[Bob Green]

DBR Chat (http://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/misc.php?do=cchatbox) is open!

If it gets a bit slow, refresh the page. As always - please follow the DBR Posting Guidelines.

Let's Go Duke!

[JBDuke]

Here is a link to my Five Keys to Victory:

http://bluedevilnation.net/2015/11/five-keys-to-victory/

I think achieving both #2 and #3 will be a real challenge for our defense. I sure hope they're up to the task.

GO TO HELL, CAROLINA! GO TO HELL!

[killerleft]

I'm headed to the community college for the game. Sitting in sec 125 amongst the kerlina faithful with a gthc t-shirt on. Should be fun! Go Duke!!!

Bravo!:D Give 'em Hell, dukebb!

Go Duke!

[Faison1]

Go Get'em Devils!!! Rooting hard for you guys....the game is on the Deuce in Cali!!! I'm psyched....I hope.

[Devil77]

Nice, well done(sarcasm).

[rsvman]

secondary is going to have to step it up.

I thought Sirk could have run into the endzone on third and goal. there were no defenders in the vicinity.

[dukelifer]

secondary is going to have to step it up.

I thought Sirk could have run into the endzone on third and goal. there were no defenders in the vicinity.

Carolina is explosive- it will be hard to match them.

[CDu]

Fumbling deep in their territory will not help.

[Sixthman]

Good play calling on that drive, even though it ended in turn over.

[CDu]

Good play calling on that drive, even though it ended in turn over.

Unfortunately, we've put ourselves behind the 8-ball here. Down 11, with UNC getting the ball. This could potentially become a 3-possession game against a team that have a good offense. That's trouble. Defense is going to have to really step up.

[arnie]

Carolina is explosive- it will be hard to match them.

Just not prepared or ready to play against their O.

[riverside6]

Little late, but live stats for Duke/UNC here...

http://www.scacchoops.com/duke-at-unc-football-live-stats-11072015

[CDu]

This one might be slipping away right here. Their offense is torching us, and we're already behind by 2 scores. A touchdown here might be too much to chase down.

[Devil77]

Yawn, Duke looking forward to the Raisin Bran bowl.

[TruBlu]

I think I'll go use my electric leaf blower in the rain.

[CDu]

Well, I won't say it's over. But I sure wouldn't bet on us making up a 3-score deficit given their offense. Incredibly disappointing start.

[cruxer]

This is depressing. Which other game can we discuss?

[freshmanjs]

About as expected. Way too much to expect team to rebound after one of the worst losses in the history of college football.

[Sixthman]

Not really even competitive. Getting killed and going to need to change the whole equation with emotion not analysis. For the coaches, this is not a teaching moment, it's a butt kicking, motivating, setting them on fire moment. Offensive play calling can now be much riskier, because we have nothing to lose.

[dukelifer]

Well, I won't say it's over. But I sure wouldn't bet on us making up a 3-score deficit given their offense. Incredibly disappointing start.

Duke only comes back if UNC takes their foot off the gas but I don't expect it. Football is about who gains the emotional edge. Duke is down and that will force a bit of panic and that usually results in turnovers. Duke will take their lumps today but perhaps they will be stronger as a result down the stretch. UNC is on a roll as a team. It happens. I give them a chance against Clemson.

[CDu]

A stop and a score! Two mire of those and we are alive!

[PackMan97]

Absolutely disgusting...but cheating pays off in this day and age.

Dear Duke football, you are officially worthless to me for another year...

[6th Man]

Tragic that Duncan doesn't touch it 25-30 times a game.

[Sixthman]

With the touchdown, you are now one break away from being back in the game. The defense has to disabuse the carolina offense of the idea that they own the game.

[nyesq83]

I think achieving both #2 and #3 will be a real challenge for our defense. I sure hope they're up to the task.

GO TO HELL, CAROLINA! GO TO HELL!

Bob, I think you lost your keys...

[CDu]

Two stops in a row!

[Native]

We're going to win.

[Tripping William]

If we can get to halftime down only two scores (or less), we might have a chance ......

[ChrisP]

I haven't been at all impressed with our pass defense all year. Plays right into Carolina's strength. Even if we had won against Miami, I think Carolina is a better team.

[Devil77]

Ball game!

[rsvman]

well, once again a bad call leads to badness. SMH. things were starting to go so well, too.

[WakeDevil]

Let's see. You have less than two minutes left. Check. You allow someone to get behind double coverage for a score. Check. Game over. Check.

What minor bowl will Duke be attending?

[CDu]

We're going to win.

I like your optimism. I am afraid I don't share it right now.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Well, this year, football got us within a week of basketball season. Not too shabby.

[Henderson]

What minor bowl will Duke lose in this year?

FIFY.

[Devil77]

Time to try another QB.

[devilnfla]

Sirk doesn't have it. Time to see what Parker can do.

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

One word... Embarrassing.

[dukelifer]

Sirk doesn't have it. Time to see what Parker can do.

Defense is losing this one

[Sixthman]

This is kind of a no show for us. The end of last week's game kind of obscured that we were a no show agsinst Miami until the last five minutes and change of the game.

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Defense is losing this one
Uh, fumbles and interceptions don't count?

[dukelifer]

Uh, fumbles and interceptions don't count?

They don't help

[cruxer]

Time to try another QB.

Time to try another everybody. The running game is the only bright spot and we won't see much of that down 28.

[devildeac]

at least we got Harry Giles

[WakeDevil]

One word... Embarrassing.

I simply don't understand how you allow two passes such as those in the final two minutes of the half. Is there any way NOT to blame this on the DC? It's as if they were playing press coverage. Then again, maybe we have defensive backs who don't like playing prevent defense.

[dukelifer]

They don't help

Williams has over 400 yds passing in the first half

[rsvman]

they are better on both sides of the ball. they also are playing with a killer instinct.

this one is over, and Pitt is not going to roll over and play dead, either.

[Devil77]

BB starts Friday!

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

And it's not like they're making tough catches. They are wide open.

[eddiehaskell]

new qb, old qb...run, pass - it doesn't matter. WE CANNOT STOP UNC on offense. Williams has over 400 passing yards in the first half. He might go 800-900 passing yards at this pace.

Last week I mentioned getting blown out by UNC taking some of the sting off the Miami loss...it doesn't. But hey, at least we know the Miami loss didn't really matter that much because judging by the first half we aren't remotely close to being one of the top 6 teams in the country. Maybe top 40.

[Sixthman]

Sirk doesn't have it. Time to see what Parker can do.

I think it's probably more likely that we see a different Sirk in the second half than that anyone else on the roster can do better. My concerns are more about sirk's development from game to game. He is not getting much better. He does not look like he is seeing the field, he is not able to move through his progressions in the passing game, and I am pretty confident that even when he completes his passes, he is missing the pass (turning the reveiver, hitting the wrong shoulder, causing the receiver to break stride), about 85 percent of the time. He is a good runner, but not adept at scrambling or running out of a called pass. Today, in the first half, he has been a real liability.

[devildeac]

We've given up 484 yds and the 2nd half hasn't even started yet. SMH.

[Devilwin]

No defense at all.. Sirk is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaay off in his passing. This team has regressed, looks like the Ted Roof days..I'm just sick right now. Get down to the five running the ball, then pass three straight times and settle for a fg. Unreal.........Time to try Parker Boehme. He sure can't do any worse than Sirk right now..Total humiliation......

[Bob Green]

It doesn't take advanced analysis, the eye test is enough, Carolina is a better football team.

[eddiehaskell]

Why are we so worried about Sirk when the defense gave up 38 points in one half?

[rsvman]

sixthman, his throwing mechanics look wrong to me, too. Maybe that is why his accuracy is bad. It's not like he had a consistent miss, either. His passes are all over the place.

[dukelifer]

No defense at all.. Sirk is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaay off in his passing. This team has regressed, looks like the Ted Roof days..I'm just sick right now. Get down to the five running the ball, then pass three straight times and settle for a fg. Unreal.......Time to try Parker Boehme. He sure can't do any worse than Sirk right now..Total humiliation.....

Team has regressed? In one week? Come on. Duke is getting beat in a rivalry game where the other team is playing great. It happens. Regroup and play better next week.

[freshmanjs]

Team has regressed? In one week? Come on. Duke is getting beat in a rivalry game where the other team is playing great. It happens. Regroup and play better next week.

it actually doesn't happen. per Twitter, this is most passing yards in a half against a power 5 conference team in over 10 years.

[eddiehaskell]

Team has regressed? In one week? Come on. Duke is getting beat in a rivalry game where the other team is playing great. It happens. Regroup and play better next week.Im not sure if we've regressed or we are just finding out where we stand while playing what is probably our toughest game all year. Granted, I'm sure coming off the Miami game hasn't helped us. UNC looks like a team on a mission to do big things. We sorta look like a team barely treading water.

[dukelifer]

it actually doesn't happen. per Twitter, this is most passing yards in a half against a power 5 conference team in over 10 years.

And? Was it the biggest half time deficit? Would this matter if Duke was winning? The point is that the team is getting beat. Everything else is just stats

[freshmanjs]

And? Was it the biggest half time deficit? Would this matter if Duke was winning? The point is that the team is getting beat. Everything else is just stats

sure if you take a purely binary view of the world and all losses are the same and all wins are the same. (i don't)

[eddiehaskell]

The first Duke football game Ive wanted to turn off in a long time....

[dukelifer]

Im not sure if we've regressed or we are just finding out where we stand while playing what is probably our toughest game all year. Granted, I'm sure coming off the Miami game hasn't helped us. UNC looks like a team on a mission to do big things. We sorta look like a team barely treading water.

UNC is playing well. If they play like this down the stretch they could get in the Final Four. If not- then I suppose it doesn't matter much.

[nyesq83]

Johnny Moore saying that the D is about to give up (I am paraphrasing him), sounds like they have

45-10

Once the replay failed to overturn that dropped pass on 3rd and 16, the air went out of the balloon

[Les Grossman]

They're really off today. Too bad.

[dukelifer]

sure if you take a purely binary view of the world and all losses are the same and all wins are the same. (i don't)

The worse part of this is that it is only bringing attention to UNC as a legit team. The extent of the loss is making UNC look good and that is bad. Duke had their shot to win out but UNC is a better team right now. Need to regroup and get the most out of the season and this game.

[eddiehaskell]

I wonder if unc will put up 80 or let off the gas? Have they set a record for most points in the least amount of time possessing the ball? It's like unc is playing a Division 3 school.

[moonpie23]

tuff day today for the FB squad.......unc taking out all their frustration about all the negative things surrounding their program on us...

they're a good team and can make some noise this year.......


we need some work....

[eddiehaskell]

UNC looks like an unquestionable playoff team.

[dukelifer]

tuff day today for the FB squad......unc taking out all their frustration about all the negative things surrounding their program on us...

they're a good team and can make some noise this year......


we need some work...

In every season you have a little hope that this could be the year and then one game can end that hope. Duke played well to start the season and then the weaknesses came out. This team has done pretty well. Today they ran into a buzz saw. Can only hope that UNC runs into theirs soon so they too can feel the pain.

[dukelifer]

UNC looks like an unquestionable playoff team.

And which of their opponents so far have been playoff caliber?

[FerryFor50]

I blame JasonEvans. Podcast curse.

[Sixthman]

Disappointed in our effort last week and this. It can't be sugar coated.

[gep]

Wow. 59-17 and still almost 5minutes left in the THIRD quarter. Amazing .

[eddiehaskell]

Ok something is up.

This Duke team is 7-1 having only lost to 6-2 Northwestern in a defensive battle.

The Miami game stole our heart.

What a pity. It's amazing how one game can turn around a season. I refuse to believe UNC or any team in the country is THAT much better than a 7-1 Duke football team. This Duke team needs to end the season right now. There's nothing positive happening after the Miami game and the biggest drilling in school history. The season is over...

[FerryFor50]

Hey, 9-3 won't be a bad season

[cspan37421]

Just returned home ... saw the score, not going to turn it on. The following observations may be irrelevant to today's game, depending, so if so, sorry. But from what I've read about this game thus far, it seems to fit with a nagging concern of mine.

Don't be fooled by our early creampuff schedule; our DBs have been uncompetitive for decades. Va Tech at them up at will in the 2nd half. It's not just speed, either. They're not always being outrun. In that VT game remember all those PI calls ... I said it then, if you're close enough to interfere, you're often close enough to bat away the ball, or turn around and make a pick.

This game is really too bad. I was wondering how they'd handle the next game after this robbery. Someone mentioned Cut's days at Ole Miss and how one year the team went into a downward spiral after a tough (unjust?) loss. I was hoping this wouldn't be the case here.

Tis a shame. They're a good group of guys, easy to root for. But our sympathy level for the Miami robbery will drop substantially ... many will look at today's game and feel, well, unjust call or not, Duke's not that competitive, they probably didn't deserve to win the Miami game. But that's not true. It WAS true for about 55 minutes but in those last 5 minutes, Sirk put the team on his back and delivered an unrecognized victory. The calls and non-calls are as unjust today as they were then. But that's not how it'll play nationally. I think/fear.

cspan

[jipops]

Sadly what is transpiring is not all that surprising. We looked rather inept much of the time against a very bad Miami team and the heels have been on a roll since week 1. Cut has done a great job hiding weaknesses but it is all culminating now.

[arnie]

Wow. 59-17 and still almost 5minutes left in the THIRD quarter. Amazing .

Also amazed that we haven't substituted for Sirk - why not give another QB some game experience?

[dukelifer]

Hey, 9-3 won't be a bad season

The team has moved on from this game - they know they are beat. Time to play another day and hope no one gets injured in the last remaining quarter.

[dukelifer]

Also amazed that we haven't substituted for Sirk - why not give another QB some game experience?

At this point you need to protect against injuries and give guys time to rest.

[Sixthman]

Also amazed that we haven't substituted for Sirk - why not give another QB some game experience?

I'd say because sirk needs the experience also. By the way, Duke is on pace to have 600 yards in total offense in this game.

[Potato Head]

Need to start hyping this UNC team to make their loss next week at home to Miami that much more crushing.

[FerryFor50]

The team has moved on from this game - they know they are beat. Time to play another day and hope no one gets injured in the last remaining quarter.

I have also moved on.

This game was either going to be a close win for Duke, spurred on by the Miami ref job, or this... A blowout by UNC - letdown game after a tough loss.

UNC is better, but are they really 40+ points better? Meh. Who cares.

Beat Pitt!

[Sixthman]

Even Caroline's back up qb can hit a receiver in stride, something sirk seems unable to do.

[Henderson]

{this entire post has been deleted due to excessive negativity. Constructive criticism of the program/team is fine, but this post went well over the line}

[moonpie23]

we can talk about duke's weaknesses, but uncheat is legit....they've been showing how to win weekly in a variety of different ways.
I'm not surprised that we're behind the woodshed,

[nyesq83]

Boooooo Henderson, sad person.
.

[eddiehaskell]

Hey, 9-3 won't be a bad seasonWe can only hope. Pitt looked decent against UNC and they look ok vs #5 ND. This looks like a team that will finish 7-5. I was thinking Virginia would be an easy one, but certainly not anymore.

[Devilwin]

Has there been a penalty called on UNC all game?

[Potato Head]

Has there been a penalty called on UNC all game?

I vividly remember one in the first quarter around the time I gave up on the game and started watching Notre Dame/Pitt.

[Devil77]

Wow, how many times have UNCheat scored untouched?

[Potato Head]

In an effort to keep it positive around here I'll just chip in that at least UNC will be vandalizing their own locker room after this one's over.

[eddiehaskell]

{this entire post has been deleted due to excessive negativity. Constructive criticism of the program/team is fine, but this post went well over the line}

Not sure how I feel about it - Cut gets a lot of credit, but it's nice to hear the other side of things. It does seem reasonable that we are a long way from having a legitimately good football team. The FSU and UNC drummings are good examples of how far away we are. To be fair though - a lot of schools have been worse over the last 3-4 years. We have also performed pretty well in those bowl losses against teams that are considered pretty good (A&M/ASU). With that said, we are a long way from being a top 10 team and who knows if we'll ever turn that corner.

[nyesq83]

And a face mask just now on our drive

[jgehtland]

Are you guys serious? 9/10 wins the last two years? Barely losing to Johnny Football? You ready to fire Cut? Ridiculous. Sleep it off.

[Potato Head]

We maximized the results from our teams made up of 2 and 3 star recruits, now we're getting 3 and 4 star recruits which is about the level that UNC has been recruiting at for the past few seasons. Just keep putting together winning seasons and the teams will get better and better.

[Sixthman]

I wonder how many times in school history we have had 300 yards rushing and lost, let alone been destroyed like this.

[Class of '94]

Just returned home ... saw the score, not going to turn it on. The following observations may be irrelevant to today's game, depending, so if so, sorry. But from what I've read about this game thus far, it seems to fit with a nagging concern of mine.

Don't be fooled by our early creampuff schedule; our DBs have been uncompetitive for decades. Va Tech at them up at will in the 2nd half. It's not just speed, either. They're not always being outrun. In that VT game remember all those PI calls ... I said it then, if you're close enough to interfere, you're often close enough to bat away the ball, or turn around and make a pick.

This game is really too bad. I was wondering how they'd handle the next game after this robbery. Someone mentioned Cut's days at Ole Miss and how one year the team went into a downward spiral after a tough (unjust?) loss. I was hoping this wouldn't be the case here.

Tis a shame. They're a good group of guys, easy to root for. But our sympathy level for the Miami robbery will drop substantially ... many will look at today's game and feel, well, unjust call or not, Duke's not that competitive, they probably didn't deserve to win the Miami game. But that's not true. It WAS true for about 55 minutes but in those last 5 minutes, Sirk put the team on his back and delivered an unrecognized victory. The calls and non-calls are as unjust today as they were then. But that's not how it'll play nationally. I think/fear.

cspan

I think you've hit on some good points. The DBs in the secondary have been very frustrating to watch. They've been repeatedly beat on the same stinking routes; and several times if they just would've turned around, they had opportunities to prevent scores, knock the ball down to prevent completions and/or get interceptions. I'm also frustrated with Sirk's play. He's shown the ability to throw deep and put up points; but he appears to be very inconsistent. Its frustrating to watch him check it down so much and not look to throw it deep; and its not because our receivers can't separate imo. His timing with connecting with receivers in stride is not good right now. I'd like to see the coaches give Parker more PT in the Pitt game next week. He looked pretty good to me in this Carolina game. Granted, he's playing garbage time right now.

[Billy Dat]

Are you guys serious? 9/10 wins the last two years? Barely losing to Johnny Football? You ready to fire Cut? Ridiculous. Sleep it off.

Seriously. Even K-led teams, including last year's Champs, get it handed to them now and again. 90-74 last year in Cameron against Miami rings a bell. I know it hurts to lose to the Hated Heels but some serious perspective is in order. The program has been on a steady climb. We've been making low level bowls and occasionally been ranked. I think winning a low level bowl and being ranked more often are, perhaps, more legit targets than being a top 10 program.

[dukelifer]

{this entire post has been deleted due to excessive negativity. Constructive criticism of the program/team is fine, but this post went well over the line}

I think the only solution is to stop watching football if you can't tolerate mediocre. Duke chances of being National Champions in football is close to zero. Duke plays who they play which are also mostly mediocre teams in the ACC. Duke has been less mediocre than the rest of the mediocre teams they play over the past few seasons. So if you want a team that competes with most of the teams they play- the Duke is well over the bar thanks to Cut- If you want a team that competes for National Championships every year- you may consider rooting for Alabama.

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

I'm as disappointed as anyone, but seriously sometimes crap happens. At least our offense keeps playng. If you know any history I believe in the 1940's through the 60's this game was sometimes a blowout with the underdog doing the blowing out. Even our basketball team sometimes gets blown out, remember Miami. We can still win every remaining game. Anyone who has given up on Coach Cut would probably have fired Coach K in the early 1980's. I expect we will get over this quicky, and I wouldn't want to be Piit next week.

[Henderson]

{this entire post has been deleted due to excessive negativity. Constructive criticism of the program/team is fine, but this post went well over the line}

[OZZIE4DUKE]

http://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/devil9f.gifhttp://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/puke/huge.gif http://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/puke/huge.gif http://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/puke/huge.gif

Next play.

[Devilwin]

Rome wasn't built in a day. They have made great strides the last few years, but have a ways to go. 31 points should win most football games, but the defense never showed up at all today. I could've passed for 300 yards against them today.. Beat Pitt, and let's finish on a positive note.

[eddiehaskell]

Are you guys serious? 9/10 wins the last two years? Barely losing to Johnny Football? You ready to fire Cut? Ridiculous. Sleep it off.I don't think Cut is remotely close to being fired - I think he's just pointing out that despite a good season in 2013 - we have a lot of work to do before being considered more than a average football team. Take this season for example - who's the biggest win against? 4-5 Virginia Tech?

In 2014 we beat GT.

In 2013 we beat VT and Miami.

That's essentially 3 good wins in 3 seasons and no bowl wins. 1 win against UNC and two blowouts.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Some people here need a reminder of how far we have come. Today was very disappointing and effectively ends our hopes of an ACC Championship in the first week of November. Do you realize how ludicrous that sentence would have sounded for the vast majority of the last 30+ years?

Monday when I am at my laptop I might do some DBR archive research to remind us what our expectations were not so long ago.

Frustrating 7 days to be a Duke football fan. But a great few years to be a Duke football fan.

[g4orce]

Haven't posted here in a long time, but some comments today made me break my silence.

Let's stop kidding ourselves. Just a few years ago our own athletic department argued in court that we were the worst football program in the country in order to get out of a contract dispute... and won the argument. A ship cannot be turned on a dime, and neither can a football program. We were so horrid for so long that quality players probably laughed if we tried to recruit. What Cut has done is simply amazing. He believed in us when no one else did, and now had chip players seriously considering Duke where they will play.

Is today disappointing? Heck yeah. Have the bowl game losses left you frustrated? Heck, yeah. BUT, people are talking about us - not as a laughing stock but a program on the rise. Our boys today were just flat. Last week hurt, despite what publicly they may have said. And the trick play left them flat-footed and stunned. Next Play. Did we lay a turd on the field? Um... didn't our basketball team do the same thing last year w/Miami & NC State? Did we end up winning one for the thumb? Yes, we did. It takes a lot more players to complete a turn-around for a football team than basketball, so say what you will about the disappointing losses in football. Took Coach K 6 years (1980 - 1986) to get his very first chance at a NC, and we expect Cut to pull a rabbit out of his hat when we were considerably worse in football than bball was at the last coaching change?

Gimme a break. Next Play. We don't give out free shoes; we don't provide fraudulent lecture courses; we produce academic champions for life. We will win, we will be a successful team and we will do it the right way.

WE ARE DUKE!

[Troublemaker]

A very good season is still within reach. Finish the regular season 9-3, and then get our first bowl win since the 1960s.

Still lots to play for.

[Class of '94]

This team is very young at key skill positions on offense and defense this year in terms of experience; and I agree with the notion that Cut as well as his staff have done a pretty good job of masking weaknesses contributed to that inexperience. To still be in contention for a 9-3 record and possibly 10 wins with a bowl game win would still be an impressive feat for this team. Don't forget we beat a ranked GT team at the time; and we still have a game against a decent Pitt team to win.

Like a broken record, I keep harping on the fact that inconsistency at QB and poor play by our secondary are hurting us badly right now; and that has changed. The only problem is that I don't know if there is enough time left in this season to make a significant improvement. Would it hurt to start Parker next game to see what he can do or do you continue to go with Sirk. I'm not sure we have a lot of alternative possibilities in the secondary and just may have to go with the people that currently start.

[eddiehaskell]

Hard to compare basketball and football losses. In basketball you have a few days to get ready for 1 of 35 or so games. In football there's a week to get ready for 1 of 12 games.

[devildeac]

533 yards total offense and we still lost by 35 points. SMH.

[Pghdukie]

Any loss is tough to take. But I would rather lose by 30 than the pitiful way we lost last week. Losing to the Cheats is not easy. But today they scored more points than we did. It's over. Now let's focus on Pitt, who got spanked pretty good today also

[freshmanjs]

Any loss is tough to take. But I would rather lose by 30 than the pitiful way we lost last week. Losing to the Cheats is not easy. But today they scored more points than we did. It's over. Now let's focus on Pitt, who got spanked pretty good today also

??? -- Pitt lost by 12 to a top 5 team. That is a dramatically better day than Duke had.

[freshmanjs]

Grow up. Seriously.

In fairness to Henderson, Duke has experienced 2 of the very worst losses in the history of the program in back to back weeks.

[Class of '94]

Any loss is tough to take. But I would rather lose by 30 than the pitiful way we lost last week. Losing to the Cheats is not easy. But today they scored more points than we did. It's over. Now let's focus on Pitt, who got spanked pretty good today also

I would've agreed with you prior to reading some tweets on Laura Keeley's twitter page. Hearing that Carolina players were talking trash and saying they will kick the bleep out of Duke after the game ticked me off; and it hurts more that we allowed them to back their talk up. We have to learn from this and win our remaining games; and then kick the bleep out of Carolina next year.

[subzero02]

UNC just scored again...

[eddiehaskell]

??? -- Pitt lost by 12 to a top 5 team. That is a dramatically better day than Duke had.And Pitt lost 26-19 to UNC. Seems they can go punch for punch with a team that could've hung 80+ on us.

Granted, it wouldn't totally shock me if we bounced back to beat Pitt. After the last two games, I know the team has got to be at a low point which most of them have never experienced in a Duke uniform.

[Henderson]

Let's face it. David Cutcliffe got his hat handed to him by Larry Fedora.

Are Duke players that bad? Or was the coaching that bad?

[freshmanjs]

Let's face it. David Cutcliffe got his hat handed to him by Larry Fedora.

Are Duke players that bad? Or was the coaching that bad?

Deflation after suffering one of the handful of worst losses in the history of college football. The team will not recover from that Miami game. It will be a major achievement for them to win another game.

[Class of '94]

Let's face it. David Cutcliffe got his hat handed to him by Larry Fedora.

Are Duke players that bad? Or was the coaching that bad?

I have to agree with you on this point. The coaching was very bad for Duke; and very good for UNC. It appeared that UNC was able to do any and everything they wanted. That being said, the players made uncharacteristic and fatal mistakes that led to UNC scores such as the untimely off-sides and PI penalties that kept the UNC offense on the field.

[devildeac]

UNC just scored again...

Are you sure? I thought it was still under review:rolleyes::mad:.

[ChrisP]

{this entire post has been deleted due to excessive negativity. Constructive criticism of the program/team is fine, but this post went well over the line}

I'm not sure which is more embarrassing to me - the outcome of today's game or...this post. Seriously? You're not impressed with the job Coach Cut's done, fine - we get it. I politely suggest you stop following Duke football. I'm proud of the program he runs and has built and don't expect Duke to compete with the Alabamas and LSUs of the world but your post is more than a little out of line. I'm as passionate and emotional about Duke as just about anyone I know but I do try to keep things in perspective. I've been cited for "venting" on this board and I certainly hope the mods will take a look at this post because...wow.

[YmoBeThere]

under review:rolleyes::mad:.

Did you say beer review?

[cspan37421]

Deflation after suffering one of the handful of worst losses in the history of college football. The team will not recover from that Miami game. It will be a major achievement for them to win another game.

IMO your post is destructively negative. I'd give it the frowny face, but that seems to be ... uh ... frowned upon here. But I will call it out. You called last week one of the worst losses in the history of college football! It wasn't even a loss, according to the rules (as opposed to the ledger), so how could it be the worst? Why not one of the best comebacks ever, down 12 with 5 to go or whatever it was. It's only the worst loss in terms of the injustice of it. Not how we played as a team ... unless you ignore the last 5 min.

I get the sense that some here weren't around for the Franks and Roof tenures. I have a hard time thinking that anyone who followed Duke football in that era has lost an ounce of appreciation for, or faith in, David Cutcliffe. He can't coach and play DB at the same time. Is he (or his staff) failing to instruct our DBs in any way that Nick Saban & staff would do if they were here? I have a hard time thinking so, but I may be blinded at how much better overall Duke football is under his watch. Today aside, we're competitive in most games ... even competitive (though winless) in bowls now. Today has been an aberration, not the rule. They'll learn from this. I'm interested in his postgame analysis.

[devildeac]

Did you say beer review?

After that performance, I think I'll have one of the beers from this list:

http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/TheWorstBeers.asp

Maybe this one:

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/natural-light/495/

[freshmanjs]

IMO your post is destructively negative. I'd give it the frowny face, but that seems to be ... uh ... frowned upon here. But I will call it out. You called last week one of the worst losses in the history of college football! It wasn't even a loss, according to the rules (as opposed to the ledger), so how could it be the worst? Why not one of the best comebacks ever, down 12 with 5 to go or whatever it was. It's only the worst loss in terms of the injustice of it. Not how we played as a team ... unless you ignore the last 5 min.

I get the sense that some here weren't around for the Franks and Roof tenures. I have a hard time thinking that anyone who followed Duke football in that era has lost an ounce of appreciation for, or faith in, David Cutcliffe. He can't coach and play DB at the same time. Is he (or his staff) failing to instruct our DBs in any way that Nick Saban & staff would do if they were here? I have a hard time thinking so, but I may be blinded at how much better overall Duke football is under his watch. Today aside, we're competitive in most games ... even competitive (though winless) in bowls now. Today has been an aberration, not the rule. They'll learn from this. I'm interested in his postgame analysis.

Not negative at all. Certainly not destructive. A team has won on a last second kickoff lateral play twice in the last 50 years. It's deflating. By worst, I mean most deflating to a team. It is the worst way to lose a game from the perspective of team psyche. I think today's outcome is totally understandable in light of that. There is a reason the last time this happened, it was replayed over and over for the next 40+ years (Stanford).

[flyingdutchdevil]

After that performance, I think I'll have one of the beers from this list:

http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/TheWorstBeers.asp

Maybe this one:

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/natural-light/495/

Don't do it, devildeac! Not the natty light! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[cspan37421]

OK, if that's what you meant about worst, but this part is destructively negative IMO. Or do these words mean something other than their plain gloom and doom meaning?


The team will not recover from that Miami game. It will be a major achievement for them to win another game.

[freshmanjs]

OK, if that's what you meant about worst, but this part is destructively negative IMO. Or do these words mean something other than their plain gloom and doom meaning?

Cut himself discussed the team never recovering concept in the context of his multi-overtime game at Ole Miss. This kind of stuff happens to a team. I do believe it will be tough for them to recover. Stanford went 1-11 the year after the other lateral game. I'd be glad to be wrong though.

[eddiehaskell]

Anyone now cheering for Clemson? Don't want FSU having a shot at the playoffs and I think Clemson has better odds of beating UNC....

[cspan37421]

After that performance, I think I'll have one of the beers from this list:

http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/TheWorstBeers.asp

Maybe this one:

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/natural-light/495/

They need a worst beers list that excludes light beer. Most light beer is terrible anyway.

But I look at this as an opportunity to treat myself to Sierra Nevada autumn brown ale. So that and the game will be my yin and yang for the day.

[dukelifer]

In fairness to Henderson, Duke has experienced 2 of the very worst losses in the history of the program in back to back weeks.

Can't say the losses are equivalent in any sense. Duke was blown out today - last week they had one taken away from incompetence. Even with the loss last week- they controlled their own destiny - now they need a flame out by UNC.

[freshmanjs]

Can't say the losses are equivalent in any sense. Duke was blown out today - last week they had one taken away from incompetence. Even with the loss last week- they controlled their own destiny - now they need a flame out by UNC.

They are not equivalent. They are similar in that they are both extremely damaging to team psyche.

[dukelifer]

They are not equivalent. They are similar in that they are both extremely damaging to team psyche.

Perhaps. Time will tell how damaged they are. UNC took the emotional edge and Duke could not match. Duke had not played any good quarterbacks who could exploit Dukes weakness in the secondary. Today they played a good one.

[WakeDevil]

I remember not that long ago when it was the last week of the NFL season, and two teams needed to win to make the playoffs. Both were playing at home against opponents that were out of the postseason picture. One team won because the other team had nothing to play for. The other team ... lost handily.

Don't give me any of that crapola armchair psychology. The players will be ready next Saturday.

[Devilwin]

I remember not that long ago when it was the last week of the NFL season, and two teams needed to win to make the playoffs. Both were playing at home against opponents that were out of the postseason picture. One team won because the other team had nothing to play for. The other team ... lost handily.

Don't give me any of that crapola armchair psychology. The players will be ready next Saturday.

I agree. Hope so anyway. Today's performance was nothing short of horrible, especially on the defensive end.

[JNort]

{this entire post has been deleted due to excessive negativity. Constructive criticism of the program/team is fine, but this post went well over the line}

It amazes me that someone who knows as little as you obviously do about college football would take the time to post something this ignorant. I will not flame you or whatever for your post because it's an opinion and unlike majority of America today I believe we should still have them and in some cases express them.

[FireOgilvie]

We could have played much better, but UNC probably played the game of their lives. Good for them. We'll be fine.

[JNort]

Let's face it. David Cutcliffe got his hat handed to him by Larry Fedora.

Are Duke players that bad? Or was the coaching that bad?

Look Duke was so bad for so long it made recruiting very difficult. Each year since Cut has gotten here we have slowly gotten better athletes and in time we may steal a top guy or 2 very few years. Are we ever gonna be an Alabama with national championship aspirations every year? I doubt it, but we can be a consistent force in and around the top 25 ala NC State and UNC. That would still put us in better shape than 95% of the college football landscape. Give it time, we are getting there but as with all great things it takes time. Lately we have been winning due to great coaching and guys playing better than what they truly and until we can start getting better athletes we are gonna have let downs from time to time.

[sandinmyshoes]

This is a classic combination of "Here's to never forgetting" and "next play."

I am scratching my head wondering, "Are you serious?" at all the Coach Cut hostility. Your memories cannot be all that short. Think for a moment how young this team is and where we were predicted to finish in the Coastal. We may end up there yet, but at least Coach Cut has made a fight out of it. In fact, both teams today have been overachievers this season. UNC just has a better team this year, and today, much as it galls me to admit it, they were even better still.

[luvdahops]

This is a classic combination of "Here's to never forgetting" and "next play."

I am scratching my head wondering, "Are you serious?" at all the Coach Cut hostility. Your memories cannot be all that short. Think for a moment how young this team is and where we were predicted to finish in the Coastal. We may end up there yet, but at least Coach Cut has made a fight out of it. In fact, both teams today have been overachievers this season. UNC just has a better team this year, and today, much as it galls me to admit it, they were even better still.

I am with you, and would point that K's teams have had similar, inexplicably awful performances in big game situations. Anyone here remember the 1991 ACC Tournament final? The debacle at Georgetown in 2010?

[flyingdutchdevil]

This is a classic combination of "Here's to never forgetting" and "next play."

I am scratching my head wondering, "Are you serious?" at all the Coach Cut hostility. Your memories cannot be all that short. Think for a moment how young this team is and where we were predicted to finish in the Coastal. We may end up there yet, but at least Coach Cut has made a fight out of it. In fact, both teams today have been overachievers this season. UNC just has a better team this year, and today, much as it galls me to admit it, they were even better still.

Sandinmyshoes - I've never met you on DBR, but I again 100% agree with you. I went to Duke during the Roof and Frank era where Duke football consisted of getting hammered in the parking lots and going to continue partying in the dorms without caring about the score of the game knowing that we would lose. What Coach Cut has done is nothing short of a miracle. We aren't Alabama, but we aren't the laughing stock of NCAA football either. I'll take that. Baby steps.

[Bob Green]

{this entire post has been deleted due to excessive negativity. Constructive criticism of the program/team is fine, but this post went well over the line}

The only embarrassment around here is your post. Boo! Boo!! Boo!!! I remain extremely proud of Coach Cutcliffe and the football team.

[Pghdukie]

The only embarrassment around here is your post. Boo! Boo!! Boo!!! I remain extremely proud of Coach Cutcliffe and the football team.

I could not agree with you more. Cut has brought a ton of enthusiasm to the program as well as to us fans. If you have doubts - just go back into the threads on this boards. We Lost a couple and people want to tear the program apart.

[oldnavy]

Losing hurts. Being beat because the other team plays with a significantly better effort is devastating. Out coached out played and out efforted. Hard to see this turning around this year it pains me to say.

[nyesq83]

Anyone now cheering for Clemson? Don't want FSU having a shot at the playoffs and I think Clemson has better odds of beating UNC...

I'm cheering for Eddie Haskell...to do something.

[mbird30]

Anyone who says anything bad about coach cut has no right to call themselves a Duke football fan. I don't care if we never fill up a stadium to half capacity again, as long as the people there are actually duke fans. Anyone who gives up on the team after this should go cheer for UNC because we want real Duke Football fans, and not whatever you guys are.

COACH CUT IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST COACH FOR DUKE IT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE!!!

If anyone had a bad day coaching it was Jim Knowles because he got destroyed tactically (for those that don't know coach cut has very little to do with the tactics around the program except for QB coaching, so any in game calls tend to be the fault of the coordinators.)

[WakeDevil]

Knowles should be thankful he was not a DC for Stalin during the early stages of the German invasion.

[Devilwin]

It's disgusting to think of all the Tar Hole mouth we gotta endure, but Cut had a huge job when he came, and he has us relevant again. I vote to keep him. Knowles, not so much....That was simply unacceptable pass defense. But Duke will get there. In the last few years we've beaten Georgia Tech twice, Virginia Tech twice, and Miami (at least once, I say twice). Back in the day, we couldn't get near those programs. Not to mention UNCheat twice. So lets give him a break, for crying out loud. :mad:

[wavedukefan70s]

A alcohol expletive filled afternoon.wow I did not see that comming.

[6th Man]

How soon we forget that from 2000-2001 we had a 22 game losing streak. Carl Franks won a total of 7 games in 4 years and a few games into his 5th year. Ted Roof won 6 games in 4 years and part of the 5th he finished for Franks. We've won 6 this season in what I consider a year of rebuilding. While losing like we did today sucks, Duke football is light years away from that brand of football. Are there areas that need improvement? Without a doubt, but Duke football is still building. The recruiting class coming next year has some promising guys. We are playing a lot of inexperienced guys this season. In my mind it's pretty amazing that we are already bowl eligible.

[FerryFor50]

I remember the days when UNC would beat us in football and wouldn't even bother bragging about it because it was too easy and Duke football fans didn't really care if they bragged.

These days, they brag, because it actually means something to beat Duke in football.

[duke79]

Look Duke was so bad for so long it made recruiting very difficult. Each year since Cut has gotten here we have slowly gotten better athletes and in time we may steal a top guy or 2 very few years. Are we ever gonna be an Alabama with national championship aspirations every year? I doubt it, but we can be a consistent force in and around the top 25 ala NC State and UNC. That would still put us in better shape than 95% of the college football landscape. Give it time, we are getting there but as with all great things it takes time. Lately we have been winning due to great coaching and guys playing better than what they truly and until we can start getting better athletes we are gonna have let downs from time to time.

Good post !! I think you're exactly right about what Duke faces. We need to face reality that we'll probably never be able to recruit the quality and quantity of talent that the top programs can. I don't ever see Duke competing against the Alabama's, LSU's, Clemson's, etc. Too many obstacles to overcome not only including much tougher academic standards and no big-time football tradition. How many top high school football players want to play in front of a half-empty 35,000 seat stadium. How many big time coaches want to coach in such a stadium? I think Cut deserves a tremendous amount of appreciation for what he had done, given the limitations. Yea, I'm not happy with today's loss but let's move on do the best we can for the rest of the season.

[Class of '94]

Good post !! I think you're exactly right about what Duke faces. We need to face reality that we'll probably never be able to recruit the quality and quantity of talent that the top programs can. I don't ever see Duke competing against the Alabama's, LSU's, Clemson's, etc. Too many obstacles to overcome not only including much tougher academic standards and no big-time football tradition. How many top high school football players want to play in front of a half-empty 35,000 seat stadium. How many big time coaches want to coach in such a stadium? I think Cut deserves a tremendous amount of appreciation for what he had done, given the limitations. Yea, I'm not happy with today's loss but let's move on do the best we can for the rest of the season.

I agre that we have challenges academically; however, call me naive but I believe Duke can compete at a high level. Stanford has done it; and K has done it with basketball. Granted, there are more positions to fill in football than basketball; and the pool is smaller for players when we're competing with Stanford, NW; and other high level academic schools. Again, it can be done; its just going to take more time; and the program is light years ahead of where it was just a few years ago, let alone the last few decades. Football just needs its own breakout class version of Johnny Dawkins, Amaker, Bilas, etc. to get us over the hump; and it starts with a stud QB. Surprisingly, that's a position where Cut has not gotten highly skilled QB. When you look at the job he's done with QBs like Thad, Sean, and Boone, imagine what he could do (and subsequently the offence could do) when he gets that kind of QB. Hopefully, it will be soon.

[Furniture]

I remember the days when UNC would beat us in football and wouldn't even bother bragging about it because it was too easy and Duke football fans didn't really care if they bragged.

These days, they brag, because it actually means something to beat Duke in football.

Hear hear! Well said. Reasons to be cheerful part 1!

[Bob Green]

Before moving on...

We rushed for 327 yards yesterday averaging 7.4 yards per carry but opted to throw the ball 40 times. How many possessions ended empty because we passed our way into trouble? In a game where we needed to possess the ball and keep Carolina's offense on the sideline, we passed entirely too much with an inaccurate quarterback and receivers who cannot achieve separation.

Duke needs to commit to the run game moving forward. The three back formation was especially productive yesterday. Coach Cutcliffe and Offensive Coordinator Scottie Montgomery need to adjust their offensive philosophy.

[wavedukefan70s]

My kid will wear a duke football jersey to school.he still loves oregon football though.duke football is way better than it was.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Before moving on...

We rushed for 327 yards yesterday averaging 7.4 yards per carry but opted to throw the ball 40 times. How many possessions ended empty because we passed our way into trouble? In a game where we needed to possess the ball and keep Carolina's offense on the sideline, we passed entirely too much with an inaccurate quarterback and receivers who cannot achieve separation.

Duke needs to commit to the run game moving forward. The three back formation was especially productive yesterday. Coach Cutcliffe and Offensive Coordinator Scottie Montgomery need to adjust their offensive philosophy.

I agree whole-heartedly. Our passing game is not, shall we say "dynamic." Our run game is pretty doggone good.

Nothing is more frustrating to me this season than seeing the D step up big to get us the ball (obviously this week that didn't happen much ) only to see us throw an incomplete pass on first down.

Our offense is not the sort that does well in second and long. Once we are in that hole, we are pretty much resigning ourselves to passing again on third down.

When we are cranking out decent yardage on the ground, we should be ALWAYS running on first down - if for no other reason than to have reasonable options on 2nd and 3rd down.

Our offense has only looked shard when under heavy clock pressure (Miami) or under the gun in the VA Tech overtimes.

Can we simulate that level of urgency in the first quarter?

[Class of '94]

I agree whole-heartedly. Our passing game is not, shall we say "dynamic." Our run game is pretty doggone good.

Nothing is more frustrating to me this season than seeing the D step up big to get us the ball (obviously this week that didn't happen much ) only to see us throw an incomplete pass on first down.

Our offense is not the sort that does well in second and long. Once we are in that hole, we are pretty much resigning ourselves to passing again on third down.

When we are cranking out decent yardage on the ground, we should be ALWAYS running on first down - if for no other reason than to have reasonable options on 2nd and 3rd down.

Our offense has only looked shard when under heavy clock pressure (Miami) or under the gun in the VA Tech overtimes.

Can we simulate that level of urgency in the first quarter?

My only concern is that our offense could become too predictable if we always run on first down. I do agree that I think we need to consider running more; but as Cut always preaches, the key is to a good offense is to have balance between our passing game and running game. Clearly, our passing game wasn't effective yesterday. However, keep in mind, that part of the reason our running game was so effective against the UNC was because they chose to regularly put 4-6 in the box and didn't overload the box with 8 to focus on stopping the run. I think Duke has to be flexible and capable of adjusting to what the defense does. i'm not sure our offense is good enough yet to dictate to the defense; but who knows, if we do more 3 back sets; and get the defense focused on stopping the run, maybe it will open up our passing game more (assuming our quarterback improves his timing and accuracy).

[peteandpete]

After some beer, some push ups, and a calming period, I thought I would transfer some observations about the game to print. Before the season started, there was a consensus that the football team would be challenged by graduation losses. The injury bug added to some of those concerns. It was thought that the secondary would be the strongest part of the defense. An early schedule against weaker teams (hey, we used to not be able to win those games, either) that did not have great passing games may have kept the secondary from improving as much as they need to. The return of the VPI starting QB showed some cracks and Miami's back up had much success, too. Part of the opponents' success can be attributed to aggressive play in the secondary, part to injury (early in the season and during the game yesterday as a Freshman thrust into the game got burned long twice before half time), and part was due to poor fundamentals (not keeping receivers in front). Carolina had a good game plan and executed the plan well with an experienced quarterback and receiving corps. Two extra days to prepare may have helped a little, too. I guess Duke fans should take heart from the fact that opponents now feel they have to throw the ball to be successful against us. Offensively, the Blue Devils continue to improve. They are capable of winning out, but they may have to return to a more bend but not break philosophy on defense. Special teams must have a greater impact. We need to create some turnovers and do a better job of protecting the ball offensively. Fewer penalties on us would be nice, also. And if, God forbid, we run into another buzz saw, maybe we should let the clock run out at the end of a quarter on third and seven (although, our third and fourth down conversion rates yesterday were quite good). As fans, no more talk about that play, hold off on the focus about basketball minutes, forget the NCAA and SACS, and get back to Cut's mantra about finishing. Let's Go Duke!

[eddiehaskell]

After cooling off...lets beat Pitt/Virginia/Wake and win a bowl game. Still have a chance to have a great season. 10 wins (9 if you don't count Miami) and a bowl win would make for a great season.

[freshmanjs]

Anyone here know what print headline error Laura Keeley was referring to in this tweet?


Laura Keeley ‏@laurakeeley 32m32 minutes ago
And I am as embarrassed and upset over the headline error as any reader, trust me. I take pride in trying to do my job well

[Class of '94]

Anyone here know what print headline error Laura Keeley was referring to in this tweet?

No clue.....I was wondering the same. Apparently it is in the print version of the N&O. Anyone have a print version of today's N&O?

[Class of '94]

Anyone here know what print headline error Laura Keeley was referring to in this tweet?

found it...Checkout Steve Wiseman's (from the Herald Sun) twitter line. The print version of the N&O has the headline being "UNC loss to Duke requires no explaining". Tarheel fans are deservedly livid. Wow....Hate to admit it; but I did get some pleasure seeing that headline even it was a mistake and wasn't true. Go Duke!!!!

[YmoBeThere]

...even [if] it was a mistake and wasn't true.

Ummm, we know how that works.

[Class of '94]

Ummm, we know how that works.

Hahaha....Just trying to fan the flames of paranoia by Carolina fans. They are convinced it was done on purpose and that the N&O is out to get them and is anti-Carolina. Again, for me as pitiful as it might be, this mistake was lone bright spot of an otherwise embarrassing loss.

[devildeac]

found it...Checkout Steve Wiseman's (from the Herald Sun) twitter line. The print version of the N&O has the headline being "UNC loss to Duke requires no explaining". Tarheel fans are deservedly livid. Wow...Hate to admit it; but I did get some pleasure seeing that headline even it was a mistake and wasn't true. Go Duke!!!!

Maybe the acc office can reverse the outcome of games after all :rolleyes: .

[jimsumner]

It should be noted that writers do not come up with headlines. Keely bears no responsibility for this and has no reason to be embarrassed.