rhfarmer said:
It's interesting that you feel this way, Klahn. I think we all suffer a hangover from the last 30 years of Duke football that insulates us from the concept that Duke is good at football and that they should beat teams like VPISU. Tech was better last year and Duke beat them.
Duke just has to continue to take advantage of the demise of Uva, Wake and NCSU; the Bowdenish/Kish downturn in Beamer's career; the inability of Georgia Tech to field a modern football program; the imminent UNC death penalty; the gift of adding Syracuse and Pitt to the Atlantic Division; and not having to play Clemson, FSU and Louisville annually.
Seems like a pretty fortuitous path to bowl games. IMO, Miami is the only real rising program in the Atlantic other than Duke. If Cut can recruit at 60% of the level of Miami, Duke is in fantastic shape for the next decade or so.
Well, VT obviously has the talent advantage and I think (without trying to speak for Klahn) that's probably the biggest factor in feeling like perhaps we'll drop this one- it's not so much the failures of the last x number of years. That said, Duke has a lot going in its favor (momentum, a chance at playing for something big, and what will hopefully be a decent home field advantage). I would be surprised if this was anything other than a close game late. We've found a way to win those more often than not lately. I think this is a blend of luck, maturity and superior coaching.
Duke actually hasn't played really well on both sides of the ball since the Georgia Tech game (save for the last 5-6 minutes), quite honestly. It would be good to have a nice, complete effort next week.
Agree very much on Miami being the biggest long-term threat.