Tech co-quarterback Vad Lee runs through the oddly garbed Maryland Terrapins. (Photo by Luis M. Alvarez)
Let’s face it: To call Duke football the rough equivalent of Georgia basketball would be, over time if not at present, an insult to the hoop ‘Dogs. Duke’s last winning season was in 1994; it has won one ACC championship since 1962, and that bears an asterisk, seeing as how Steve Spurrier was then the Blue Devils’ coach.
But here it is 2012 and Duke has a chance to claim the Coastal Division if it beats Georgia Tech today and Miami next week in Durham. Me, I don’t think the Dookies can win either game, but maybe that’s just me.
As we know, the Jackets are themselves somehow alive and kicking in the carnival ride that is the ACC Coastal. Tech can get to 5-3 in league play and stamp itself as the leader in the clubhouse by beating Duke. And the Jackets have won eight straight against the Devils and 16 of 17. The exception was in 2003, when interim Duke coach Ted Roof startled his alma mater 41-17 on a dark Durham day that stands as one the low points in Tech football annals.
OK, enough. Tech needs to win and will, I say. I’ll be on hand to watch and crack wise, and I’d enjoy your company. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.
By Mark Bradley
358 comments Add your comment
Pooh
November 17th, 2012
4:50 pm
Mark, Arkansas is definitely the biggest disappointment of the year. They have a top 5 quarterback and only 4 wins. And a coach with no fiscal responsibility. Auburn is a close second.
Mark Bradley
November 17th, 2012
4:50 pm
He stays in after the timeout, though.
Humphrey
November 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
Tech’s defense is horrible. Murray has got to be salivating at the chance to go against them. And Tech really thinks they’re going to beat UGA next week in Athens? Yeah right.
Pooh
November 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
And a stop for the defense! In the words of Sterling Archer: “Thank God for small miracles. Lana!”
Mark Bradley
November 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
Duke 50-yard FG. Tech 21-17 with a minute left in the half
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
4:58 pm
Humphrey, your top notch defense gave up 299 yards rushing to an FCS team that runs the same offense as us. I wouldn’t be too confident. Your team (along with most of the SEC) is extremely overrated.
Paul in NH
November 17th, 2012
4:59 pm
Didn’t understand that last play call
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
Start TW in the second half. Vad ain’t what we saw last week today.
Ghost
November 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
Where are all the NATS that thought Southern would beat UGA and score 42 points?
Mark Bradley
November 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
Not very good clock management by PJ at the end of the half. Wound up punting.
If do right, no can defense
November 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
Lack of big plays hurting us right now.
Mark Bradley
November 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
Tech 21, Duke 17. Half.
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
Ghost, 299 yards rushing, and you should have been tied at halftime. Yet you come on here and act like it was a straight up dominance.
GSUStud
November 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
This is embarrassing that Ga Tech now struggles with Duke. After watching both teams, it is very obvious that Duke has the better team. Ga Tech has no defense and no quarterback. It still appears that Ga Tech WILL have at least 6 losses this year.
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:02 pm
Lack of a defense is hurting us right now.
Humphrey
November 17th, 2012
5:03 pm
Tech will not make a bowl game. Duke is the better team.
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
GSUStud: It amazes me how you can tell the better team through one half despite we’re winning, have more yards, and didn’t get the ball to start. Please tell me more.
Biff Pocoroba
November 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
I’m glad that PJ called that timeout to set up two bad passes to end the half. Hopefully Miami takes the championship game so PJ doesn’t have to get out coached in that game and finish 6-8. That would make the ACC look about as bad as the SEC East.
Humphrey
November 17th, 2012
5:05 pm
@ White&Gold, giving up 299 yards rushing to a team that averages over 400 yards rushing a game is a great job. We’ll hold the NATS under that next week. We’ve had practice against it now and we all know that when an opponent has practice against your offense it gets shut down. Tech won’t score 14 next week. UGA will be the best defense Tech has faced all year including the best offense. Yes, we’re better than UNC who you gave up 50 points to.
Toady (no longer reformed)
November 17th, 2012
5:05 pm
GSUStud, you are embarrassing. You should worry about what your Mom is thinking about you. Sad!
Ramblnwrek
November 17th, 2012
5:06 pm
Anyone else watching ESPNU and care to comment on what they just said about Maryland going to the B1G?
Paul in NH
November 17th, 2012
5:07 pm
ESPN just said MD is going to the B1G. WTF
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:07 pm
Being the best defense we’ve faced this year is not accomplishment. Also, you forget GSU is an FCS school and you’re a so called “national championship caliber team.”
If do right, no can defense
November 17th, 2012
5:08 pm
@ramblnwrek: That’s out of the blue. How they’ll come up with the 50 mil exit fee, I have no idea.
ARdawg
November 17th, 2012
5:10 pm
Don’t worry Nerds, Duke plays everyone tough
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:11 pm
If Maryland can’t compete in the ACC, I find it hard that they’ll ever finish anywhere near the top in the B1G in anything except women’s soccer.
Ramblnwrek
November 17th, 2012
5:11 pm
Thats what the announcers were asking but they were putting it out there like its a legitimate issue.
Toady (no longer reformed)
November 17th, 2012
5:12 pm
The NATS play in MLB. That’s an FYI. I’ve refrained from name calling and derogatory statements about other Georgia schools. I find it to be easy, even though If I do I’ll go to moderation or be banned. The trolls are not here for reasonable debate but only to trash Tech. Humphrey, I’m still waiting on your number and position. If not then eliminate the inference that you play for UGA.
Toady (no longer reformed)
November 17th, 2012
5:13 pm
MB, if “nerd” is allowed then shouldn’t “toothless redneck”? Just curious? I know “Moderation”.
If do right, no can defense
November 17th, 2012
5:14 pm
I think Washington starts the second half. Fair bet, Bradley?
Ramblnwrek
November 17th, 2012
5:14 pm
Mark, any comments comments on the MD to B1G?
Discount DoubleDawg
November 17th, 2012
5:15 pm
If you want to see trolls go check out the 11 pages on todays UGA live blog… tech trolls were on fire today until Georgia started to put aways GSU (45-14)…
Mark Bradley
November 17th, 2012
5:16 pm
Maryland would be a major loss to the ACC.
Humphrey
November 17th, 2012
5:17 pm
Georgia Southern is a better team than Tech. Duke is better too.
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:18 pm
Discount DoubleDwag: Check out the ESPN conversation boards for your game. There were fans from the WAC that were trolling your team in the first half.
Thebeesnees
November 17th, 2012
5:20 pm
I agree Mark. I think other teams will follow if they leave.
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:20 pm
Humphrey in case you didn’t watch your team play today, your dWags are hardly a half better than GSU. I must admit that the fact that most of your fans fail to admit that you’re just not that good is funny. Excuse after excuse after excuse.
Discount DoubleDawg
November 17th, 2012
5:20 pm
White&Mold: No thanks, I’ll check the AJC boards where the tech trolls live…
Paul in NH
November 17th, 2012
5:20 pm
Rutgers to the B1G too with UConn to the ACC – talk about going for the ultimate bball conference!
Discount DoubleDawg
November 17th, 2012
5:21 pm
Tech, GSU, MTSU all should play in the same division and conference… and I am not taking a shot here. It would be very competitive.
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:22 pm
White&Mold? Very mature of you.
White&Gold
November 17th, 2012
5:23 pm
Complains about Tech fans and than trolls a Tech blog. LOL
Mark Bradley
November 17th, 2012
5:23 pm
Any program leaving the ACC faces a $50 million exit charge.
ARdawg
November 17th, 2012
5:24 pm
Toady
Quit yer sniveling and put you big boy skivvies on. There’s nothing derogatory about the term Nerd. Especially when it’s true
Discount DoubleDawg
November 17th, 2012
5:24 pm
Dwag- touche’
Mark Bradley
November 17th, 2012
5:24 pm
Wow. Left tackle legally receives deflected pass and runs for first down.
Paul in NH
November 17th, 2012
5:25 pm
Benoit tried to go the distance
Humphrey
November 17th, 2012
5:26 pm
Middle Tennessee State or BYU anyone? DUKE?!
playmeortrademe
November 17th, 2012
5:26 pm
Big East is effectively finished as a football conference if all that’s true. ACC will go snag Louisville or Cincinnati to fill out the conference.
If do right, no can defense
November 17th, 2012
5:27 pm
Washington is throwing horribly today. Beno saved him on that clutch play.