FB: Duke 27, #22 SMU 28 (OT)

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The Duke Blue Devils (#29 in both polls) host the SMU Mustangs (#22 in both polls) for a Saturday night matchup at 8pm ET on ACCN (streaming link). It's just as the original founders of the ACC intended.

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SMU is 6-1 and has won 4 straight games after its lone loss to still-undefeated BYU. The team is led by head coach Rhett Lashlee, whose name has the most Harlequin romance potential of any in college football. (Consider some alternatives. "He looks so handsome, what's his name?" "Dabo Swinney." "Oh.")

While it's possible the Mustangs are looking ahead to their home stand against #19 Pittsburgh next week, I don't see how a new ACC team can take any opponent for granted. Besides, according to GoDuke, they are 0-2 against us. Duke beat them 14-7 in Dallas (1952) and 14-6 in Durham (1956). Let's make it 3 straight.

Discuss the game here.
 
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Think Duke will need to find some offense in this one. SMU is averaging about 15 more points per game, while giving up just three more points per game. Didn't see much life in that Duke offense last outing.
 
I definitely don’t think SMU will overlook a 6-1 team. Also, I think SMU wants to be like Duke and really wants to win this game.

If the defense can slow them down we have a chance but I’m feeling a double-digit loss unless the offense shows much more potency.
 
I realize this may be a silly question, but did anyone see the Victory Bell on the field Friday night? I know they had it on the entrance plaza for photos pregame but I didn't see it on the field during the game. I can't remember if it is normal practice for the cheerleaders to bring it out during the game or not. We waited a long time to get that thing back, I say the spirit squads ring it every chance they get! If they choose to use it during the SMU game, hopefully it'll get a workout.
 
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sixsecondsaway said:
I realize this may be a silly question, but did anyone see the Victory Bell on the field Friday night? I know they had it on the entrance plaza for photos pregame but I didn't see it on the field during the game. I can't remember if it is normal practice for the cheerleaders to bring it out during the game or not. We waited a long time to get that thing back, I say the spirit squads ring it every chance they get! If they choose to use it during the SMU game, hopefully it'll get a workout.
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I could be wrong, but the last time we had it I don't think they brought it out for any game other than the Holes. I do not understand the reluctance to trot it out for each and every home game; we should have every opportunity to enjoy it while it's painted a true shade of blue.
 
Yep, you could even ring the Bell if you wanted. I agree, we need to ring that Victory Bell at every opportunity, and that includes at field level during games!

Something's gotta give Saturday night. The Tixus version of Methodism comes to Methodist Flats for a gridiron battle. Here's hoping the Duke defense can brand 'em, the offense can nag 'em, and the genuine home field advantage that is Wallace Wade Stadium can paddle the rumps of the Mustangs so as to send them packing back to the land of little dogies and antelopes with their horsey tails betwixt their legs!

The branding part gives us a chance. Please let the nagging be sufficient to do the job. And we need a big reversal in the special teams area. A Maalik rushing touchdown would greatly aid the cause, not to mention striking some (most?) of us dumb.

Go Duke!
 
killerleft said:
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The branding part gives us a chance. Please let the nagging be sufficient to do the job. And we need a big reversal in the special teams area. A Maalik rushing touchdown would greatly aid the cause, not to mention striking some (most?) of us dumb.

Go Duke!
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Huh??? Really??? That would just be awesome. As someone else posted, Duke was keeping this a secret until necessary... and now is the time.
 
There are many fantastic reasons to want Duke to be even better at football, but the prime reason for me is the respect the schedulers would have for my bedtime. Don't they realize how cranky I'm going to be on Sunday.
 
brlftz said:
I think that comment has to do with the fact that ours is out as well so we have no sympathy for SMU, as opposed to wishing any ill towards RJ Maryland.
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Yes, it's a comment on the team, not on RJ. I'm bummed for him, and hope he heals quickly and completely. But SMU? Yeah, we know how that feels, and then some.
 
Phredd3 said:
Yes, it's a comment on the team, not on RJ. I'm bummed for him, and hope he heals quickly and completely. But SMU? Yeah, we know how that feels, and then some.
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OK.

Bottom line, this is a big, big loss for the Mustangs; Maryland was the leading receiver for the year and already owns the school record for TD receptions by a TE. Backups have seen limited action; maybe Adam Moore comes in, maybe Matthew Hibner (Michigan transfer), maybe both. Even before RJ was hurt at Stanford, the SMU WRs were already having one of their best games of the year, and Jennings is far better at spreading the ball around than was the QB for the first 2.5 games, so a lot remains to be seen as to just how impactful this is. But it's definitely big.
 
killerleft said:
Yep, you could even ring the Bell if you wanted. I agree, we need to ring that Victory Bell at every opportunity, and that includes at field level during games!

Something's gotta give Saturday night. The Tixus version of Methodism comes to Methodist Flats for a gridiron battle. Here's hoping the Duke defense can brand 'em, the offense can nag 'em, and the genuine home field advantage that is Wallace Wade Stadium can paddle the rumps of the Mustangs so as to send them packing back to the land of little dogies and antelopes with their horsey tails betwixt their legs!

The branding part gives us a chance. Please let the nagging be sufficient to do the job. And we need a big reversal in the special teams area. A Maalik rushing touchdown would greatly aid the cause, not to mention striking some (most?) of us dumb.

Go Duke!
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The “Tixus version of Methodism”. 😆. I love it!
 
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