Duke's Path to the Orange Bowl

By Michael Schneid

The Duke Blue Devils are 4 wins away from winning the ACC championship and appearing in the Orange Bowl. Wait...what?!

That's right. Duke! The Blue Devils are currently 7-2 (3-2 ACC) and host #23 Miami this Saturday, before ending the season @ Wake Forest and @ UNC. If Duke manages to win their final three games, they will face Florida State in the ACC title game (assuming Georgia Tech also loses Saturday to Clemson).

Imagine the buzz around a Duke vs Oregon or Duke vs Wisconsin Orange Bowl in Miami on January 3?

Whether they play in a BCS game or not, Duke will play in a bowl game for consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. Last year the Blue Devils lost to Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl, finishing the season 6-7. This year, they have already won 7 games, guaranteeing a winning season and another bowl game.

Simply playing in the ACC Championship game would likely be a big enough accomplishment for Duke. But winning? That would mean defeating a likely 12-0 Florida State who is destined to play Alabama in the National Championship game. Who ever would have imagined Duke having this kind of ripple effect nationally in football?

Two weeks ago Duke upset Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. It was their first win against a ranked team since 1994 and first time beating a ranked team on the road since 1971. This Saturday Duke has a chance to upset their second top 25 team of the season. Duke enters the game riding a 5 game winning streak, while Miami has lost two in a row following a 7-0 start and a top 10 ranking. 

Than they play a Wake Forest team who is just 4-6 and reeling with 3 straight losses and a UNC that is a very underwhelming 4-5.

Injuries have forced Duke to use both Brandon Connette and Anthony Boone at QB. They average 33 ppg and give up just 22.

If Duke manages to end the season with 9 or 10 wins, regardless of if they play in the ACC title game or not, voters should give serious consideration to David Cutcliffe for National Coach of the Year. 9 wins at Duke is astounding.