The Orange From New York

[Inveigle]

Duke Coach David Cutcliffe began his career in the high school ranks after graduating from Alabama. After a few successful seasons as head coach, he was hired as a part time assistant at Tennessee, getting fully promoted in 1983. He would stay with the Vols until 1998, becoming known for his offensive acumen, especially with quarterbacks after coaching some dude named Peyton Manning. In December of ‘98, Cutcliffe was hired by Ole Miss, where he coached until 2004. That season was his only losing season in Mississippi, and after refusing to fire any of his staff he was removed as head coach. Health problems had him step away from coaching until he was re-hired by Tennessee in 2006. The following offseason, Duke swept him up, and he’s remained in Durham ever since, turning the Blue Devils into a consistent mid-tier ACC team after taking over a program who only won four games in the previous four years.

This week Duke (4-5, 2-3) hosts Syracuse (3-6, 0-5)

The Syracuse football team’s problems this season hit a boiling point last week, resulting in the firing of Defensive Coordinator Brian Ward, who was in his fourth year with the Orange. Syracuse is one loss from securing a losing season. Worse yet, the Orange is one of four Power-Five teams without a win over another Power-Five opponent.

It will be interesting to see if the Orange defense looks any sharper this week under interim defensive coordinator Steve Stanard and if the offensive line can continue to show small improvements. Syracuse surrendered just three sacks in its last game, a substantial improvement over every other ACC game, but it was also facing the conference’s worst pass rush.
The Orange continue to rank last in the country, surrendering five sacks per game.

Duke DE Victor Dimukeje leads the team in sacks this season at

6.5 Koby Quansah leads the team in tackles at 83 while Safety Marquis Waters has 2 interceptions- If Duke wins this game or has any hope of making a bowl game this year, then these guys have to have great games! Kickoff is at 4pm from Wallace Wade and Duke is a -10 favorite Duke 28 Syracuse 17

 

[Devilsforlife]

If we lose this game, I will officially pronounce the Cutcliffe era dead.

 

[ZackM]

Missed the spread by 53 points. Impressive.

 

[DurhamSon]

Ron Cutcliffe

 

[Devilsforlife]

If we lose this game, I will officially pronounce the Cutcliffe era dead.

Cutcliffe era is dead.

 

[Inveigle]

Piss Poor Performance