Battle For the Victory Bell Preview - SCACCHoops.com

Battle For the Victory Bell Preview

by WebMaster

Posted: 11/24/2011 10:09:13 AM


It has been another long and disappointing season of close calls and football ineptitude for the Duke Blue Devils.

On Saturday they have one last shot to end the season with at least something positive when they take on their bitter arch rivals the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The problem in this rivalry is that it hasn't been one for a while. The Tar Heels have dominated the series winning 21 of the last 20 meetings, the last victory for the Blue Devils coming in 2003 under then interim coach Ted Roof.

The 2011 season was suppose to be a big step to football stability for Duke Football, instead it has pretty much been much of the same. For the Tar Heels who are bowl bound, despite an off season of turmoil surrounding the NCAA violations and last minute firing of head coach Butch Davis.

Still North Carolina came out of the gate strong using their still talented core group of players and one stellar freshman in running back Geo Bernard, to dominate a weak early schedule. However, they have faltered down the stretch losing four of their last five games.

Duke hasn't fared much better after starting 0-2 then reeled off three straight wins but have since lost six straight. But much like in basketball, you can typically throw the record books out.

As bad as Duke has been and at times as much superior talent North Carolina have had over the years, the games have mostly been competitive as the emotions of the rivalry stir up the competitiveness and break out the best and worst in the players.

It is almost certain that Bernard will play despite leaving the last game against Virginia Tech with a mild concussion and it is even more likely that interim head coach Everett Withers will be coaching his only game against Duke.

This game will boil down to whether the Blue Devils can managed to do anything with the Tar Heels always impressive defensive line, and if Bernard can run as effectively has he has most of the season despite the recent concussion.

Duke's defense has been struggling lately, beat up on the defensive line and regularly beaten in the secondary. It could be a field day for North Carolina's wide receivers and quarterback Bryn Renner.

Still Duke in the last few weeks has found a grove on offense and if they can match the Tar Heels on the scoreboard and perhaps get a few stops or force a few Renner mistakes then they could be in position to win the game.

Prediction

Duke -35 UNC-31

There is no reason for me to pick Duke is this game. North Carolina has more talent, the Blue Devils are beat up and seemingly have nothing to play for but pride.

The fact though that David Cutcliffe has said his team will come out with reckless abandon and have nothing to lose makes them dangerous in a rivalry game.  I just have a feeling (though my feelings can be wrong) that the Blue Devils will come out with a bit more intensity than North Carolina.

I feel they can use that intensity, the emotions of the rivalry, and the emotions of the fact it is the final game for 20 Blue Devils players that have never beaten the Tar Heels. Those players would like nothing better than to end their careers with the ring of the victory bell.

And to paraphrase some famous Duke guy, how sweet it would be

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @DukeSportsMKline and visit our Facebook page- Duke Sports Blog. Questions e-mail us at
dukesportsblogmkline@gmail.com

This article was originally published at http://DukeSportsBlog.com. If you are interested in sharing your website's content with SCACCHoops.com, Contact Us.

 


SCACC Hoops has no affiliation to the NCAA or the ACC
Team logos are trademarks of their respective organizations (more/credits)

Privacy Policy