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Post by Tizu on Nov 25, 2013 10:25:15 GMT -5
Last game of the regular season comes down to this game. Winning the Coastal division out-right for Duke would be huge. However, I have a bad feeling this game is going to go to UNC in a big way. With Marquis Williams at QB for them, they have really started rolling. He is a play maker and I'm afraid he's going to flex those muscles against Duke. If Duke can limit / nix the big plays from UNC, they have a good chance at making a game of it...and possibly winning it.
I'm hoping for a good game and a Duke victory, I just have a bad feeling about it...I hope I'm wrong.
GO DUKE!
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Duke @ UNC
Nov 25, 2013 13:13:40 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Marty Da Hungry Wolf on Nov 25, 2013 13:13:40 GMT -5
UNC is rolling lately, no doubt. I think Duke's had too good a season to get blown out but I can see that possibility. Duke's explosive on offense and in special teams like they've not been in a long time. Should be an interesting game.
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Post by Ken D on Nov 25, 2013 19:33:21 GMT -5
Carolina is fortunate this game is being played now. If it had come when Carolina played ECU, they wouldn't have had a chance.
It's easy to dismiss UNC's recent performance as just being due to a weaker second half schedule. But the fact is the players seeing the field today are better than the ones who were playing earlier. The addition of guys like Logan and Francis give the Heels a credible run game they lacked at the start of the season. Receivers like Switzer and Bug Howard have made Davis and Ebron more effective because they can't be double teamed as easily. And while Renner is a very good QB, Williams is more suited to this offense.
Many Heel fans seemed to assume earlier in the year that the job of QB for next season was Mitch Trubisky's to lose. Sure doesn't look that way right now. It's great to have, after so many years, a Duke-Carolina football game that matters so much.
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Post by Marty Da Hungry Wolf on Nov 25, 2013 19:38:23 GMT -5
I think it's more important that Duke and UNC have something to lose, rather than just the proverbial "something to play for". Nailed it again, Ken, Duke-Carolina is meaningful - in football.
In case you didn't notice, I'm a State guy but I do try to be level-headed and objective. Fedora's done a good job of righting the ship at UNC, but the job Cutcliffe has done at Duke is immeasurable. Goldsmith caught lightning in a bottle in 1994, but when you go from 8-4 to 0-11, that's exactly what it looks like - lightning in a bottle. Cutcliffe is building something, and I'll go so far as to predict Duke looks like they're in it for the long haul, as far as being a dangerous team and a respectable program. The man can flat-out coach, and he's got a staff that can do the same thing.
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Post by Ken D on Nov 26, 2013 9:55:42 GMT -5
On a WRAL thread the subject of depth came up as an explanation of State's woes this year. They are playing a lot of freshmen and sophs. More importantly, they aren't getting much out of their junior and senior classes, and even though there are 22 of them on the 2-deep chart, a lot of them are in backup roles where they aren't producing.
For kicks, I thought I'd look at Duke's depth chart. It's not that different on paper if you just count the 44 players. But this year, Duke returned 14 starters, 7 on offense and 7 on defense. Next year they will return 8 on offense and 6 on defense out of their 33 returning 1s and 2s. Cutliffe is building stability into that program like you said, Marty. This team is no fluke. Almost every game, they are the stronger team in the fourth quarter.
Now, if only they could get more fans to show up....
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Post by Tizu on Nov 26, 2013 9:55:58 GMT -5
Nailed it again, Ken. Spot on, indeed. This game is huge for Duke. If they win, they play for the ACC Championship. Even though their likely opponent is in a league of their own right now, it's still awesome to be able to say that. Even still, they have a share of the Coastal Division Title...that in and of itself is a huge accomplishment. Getting to back to back bowls, again, huge.
I just hope it's not a 2 year fluke and Cutcliffe keeps things rolling...I have confidence that he will..he's got some pretty good recruits coming in...and another good QB as well.
I just hope UNC doesn't run away with the game....and of course I'm hoping for a Duke victory!
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Post by Tizu on Nov 26, 2013 9:59:15 GMT -5
Cutcliffe made a statement after the Wake Forest game "...they could go play another game right now".
He really has them very well conditioned and makes that a point of emphasis...it has definitely shown late in games.
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Post by uncrules on Nov 26, 2013 21:44:32 GMT -5
UNC will be kicking that dook ass all day Saturday! I am excited to be there and witness dook gining up the bell and looking like shat on TV losing to us Heels! Poor shatzu will probably be crying like a woman!
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Post by Tizu on Nov 27, 2013 7:02:55 GMT -5
Sorry, sports are the furthest thing away from making me cry...but if it makes you sleep well at night...
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cuss
Recruit
Posts: 38
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Post by cuss on Nov 27, 2013 18:03:38 GMT -5
I see this as a difficult game for UNC. Duke has improved with its defense. I watched them stop VT, and Miami. Their offensive line also look good. Carolina also has a big problem with their secondary, and tackling. Duke will have a problem with UNC's quarterback and the passing game of the Tarheels. If Carolina's defense can come through, I think we will be O.K. I'm hoping for a tarheel win, but I know it's going to be difficult.
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Post by Marty Da Hungry Wolf on Nov 27, 2013 18:58:35 GMT -5
Should be a good game, both teams have been hot lately.
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Post by Ken D on Nov 30, 2013 15:57:31 GMT -5
Since I know you are away from home, Tizu, this one's for you. Congrats to Duke. If this doesn't give Cut national COY, then the voting is rigged. It was fitting that they won the same way they've done it all year - great running game, good defense and finish in the fourth quarter.
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Post by Ken D on Nov 30, 2013 23:30:15 GMT -5
Well, Tizu, you had a pretty good day. The only thing missing was a Mizzou loss to put your Carolina in the SEC championship game.
And, after two weeks of the most bizarre of all possible game ending plays, Gus Malzahn may have sneaked past Cut in the COY sweepstakes. Maybe a loss to Mizzou coupled with a Duke bowl win will turn the tide in Cut's favor.
I've been watching college football for 60 years, and I've never seen a season to top this one.
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Post by Marty Da Hungry Wolf on Dec 1, 2013 15:46:20 GMT -5
Anybody heard from uncrules? I'm a little concerned about his welfare.
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Post by Tizu on Dec 2, 2013 7:23:03 GMT -5
Well, Tizu, you had a pretty good day. The only thing missing was a Mizzou loss to put your Carolina in the SEC championship game. And, after two weeks of the most bizarre of all possible game ending plays, Gus Malzahn may have sneaked past Cut in the COY sweepstakes. Maybe a loss to Mizzou coupled with a Duke bowl win will turn the tide in Cut's favor. I've been watching college football for 60 years, and I've never seen a season to top this one. Man! What a crazy day / night of games Saturday was!! First, I'm so proud of Duke Football! I thought UNC would literally run / pass all over them. Other than Marquise Williams getting some big runs in...I thought Duke did a very good job containing them. Late penalties for UNC really hurt them...gotta be disciplined. Congratulations to the 2013 Coastal Division Champion Duke Blue Devils! The Iron Bowl...holy cow! Saban lobbied to get that extra second on the clock...he got it...then one of the most improbable ways to end a game happened and the Crimson Tide go down. What A Game. One game that got overlooked is the Michigan / Ohio State game. That was a heck of a game as well. Back and forth...Michigan had a chance to win / tie it...went for two, missed it...Game over. What a shame, I really wanted Ohio State to lose! Oh well. The Carolina vs. Clemson game was absolutely electric! That atmosphere was amazing...82,000+ fans in close proximity...AWESOME! I was, for the first time a Johnny Football fan on Saturday night...unfortunately Mizzou was just too tough for the Aggies. Oh well! This will be the 3rd time Carolina has beaten the team that eventually ends up winning the SEC East. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth. |
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Post by cvholt87 on Dec 2, 2013 15:23:15 GMT -5
Congrats to the Blue Devils on winning the Coastal. Cut is one heck of a coach! Going into the game I really thought UNC would walk away with the W but Duke proved me wrong, once again. The best game of the weekend though has to go to the Iron Bowl. Man, I've never seen a game like that in my life. Needless to say - Malzahn and Cut have to be the only 2 coaches that should be under consideration for COY. Can't go wrong with either, IMO.
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