The football team will obviously not be going to a bowl this year after eight winless games. But there is still a title that the Blue Devils can win that won't stink like week-old tuna fish-the championship of North Carolina.
Over the next three Saturdays, Duke will face the three other Atlantic Coast Conference schools which are located in the state: N.C. State, Wake Forest and North Carolina.
East Carolina fans might argue, but if any of the four ACC schools should run the table on their foes, they can definitely lay claim to being the best college football team in North Carolina.
The challenge for the Blue Devils (0-8, 0-5 in the ACC) begins Saturday against the Wolfpack, who have struggled mightily all year. Combined, the two teams have managed just one victory this season.
Central to each team's struggles have been porous defenses. Duke and N.C. State are each allowing, on average, over 400 yards per game in offense to their opponents.
In addition, they are turning the ball over a great deal more often than they are creating turnovers.
Both of these factors can be easily blamed on youth for each squad, but eight games into the Blue Devils' and seven game into the Wolfpack's seasons, that is becoming a very weak crutch.
Duke's biggest problem over the last three weeks, however, has been its offense. Over the last 14 quarters, the Blue Devil offensive unit has scored as many points for the opposition as they have scored for themselves.
This week, Dave Green will start his fifth game of the year at quarterback for the Blue Devils. Green and Matt Rader have alternated starting games with less than impressive results. Duke coach Fred Goldsmith hopes that Green will provide a leadership spark for Duke.
Central to Green's success will be the Blue Devils' ability to block the Wolfpack defensive line. Goldsmith has been quick to point out this week that problems on Duke's offensive line have plagued the Blue Devils all year.
Of equal concern to Duke on Saturday will be the N.C. State offense. Running back Tremayne Stevens has struggled this season, but he is still one of the best backs in the ACC. The Wolfpack has also had problems at quarterback this year with Jamie Barnette and Jose Laureano splitting the time at the helm.
Saturday, though, a year's worth of inadequacies will go out the door. The teams are playing for nothing more than pride and a chance to win a mythical state championship. Somebody's got to win.
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