This is a candidate for the PGOTY (pronounced pih-GO-tee). That is, the Pivotal Game of the Year. That little old game right after Turkey Day to me is always the most important and always will be on so many different levels, but the PGOTY is one that can turn the season hopefully positively, but could be negatively. And note, I said "candidate" as there are other games which could be the PGOTY.
One thing about this game is it is Tech's last home game in a stretch of 6 of 7 since Game 2 in the season on Grant Field before heading into a tough November, which will see our guys go on the road in 3 of the final 4 (and at 3 tough opponents). Win this game and Tech could stand around 5-3 or 6-2 or maybe even 7-1 if things break our way. Lose this game and we may have to win 3 of these final 4 to qualify for a MEG some place in late December.
This is homecoming. Tech is 51-15-1 on homecoming. Last year, the 'Miracle on Techwood' over Florida State was on homecoming. Tech is 6-2 in homecoming games under CPJ - only losses were to Virginia '08 and BYU '12. That loss to Virginia in '08 broke a 12-game homecoming winning streak for the Good Guys. Duke is by far Tech's most frequent opponent on homecoming as we've faced the Devils 21 times going 14-6-1. The next most frequent homecoming guest is Tulane (7 times).
Let's face it and just admit it, David Cutcliffe has turned in one of the best rebuilding jobs in CFB in decades. One of the best ever. I give credit where credit is due. He has beaten Tech 2 straight years. Last time that happened was when Visor Boy lead Duke to 3 straight wins from '87 thru '89.
This series is one of Tech's longest and most played. This will be the 84th meeting. Tech holds a 50-32-1 series lead. Younger Tech fans who mostly have only known Duke as a basement dweller in the ACC annually (less the last few years under Cutcliffe's turnaround) likely don't realize that this series was actually tied (28-28-1) after that Duke win in 1989. Starting in 1990, Tech has gone 22-4 over Duke.
Tech and Duke have played one another every year since 1933. Only Tech's series with the Cesspool goes back longer in terms of consecutive annual games to 1925 - and yes, dumb Dwags, that includes '43 and '44. Tech has only played the Cesspool (110) and Auburn (92) more times than Duke (83).
Game Info: Oct. 29, Time and TV TBA...Tech is coming off a bye week after playing 7 straight weeks, but so is Duke...the marquee ACC game this day - and perhaps game of the year - will be Clemson traveling to Tallahassee...Miami travels to Notre Dame for a NBC 3:30 kickoff...other ACC games include BC at NCSU, Louisville at Virginia...several teams have open dates and the Hokies travel to Pitt for one of those goofy Thursday night games
Last Meeting: Duke defeated Tech in the rain 34-20 at Wallace Wade Stadium...pretty miserable day...Butker converted on a FG to cut the Duke lead to 19-13 with 7 minutes to go in the 3Q and Tech regaining some momentum only to see Duke take the kickoff back for a TD and open back up a 26-13 lead...Tech scored a TD with 8 minutes to go in the game to cut it to 26-20. Tech's D got a big INT by Lawrence Austin on the ensuing Duke possession giving our offense the ball on Duke's 35 with just under 7 minutes to go. Tech's JT5 got 7 yds, then Skov got 1, then JT5 got 1. Tech chooses to go for it on 4th and 1 and we get stuffed handing the ball back over to Duke with 4:54 left. Tech's D again stands up and forces a 3-and-out punt by Duke getting Tech's O back on the field with the ball at Tech's 38 with just under 3 minutes left. Tech fumbles, Duke recovers at Tech's 35, and Duke takes a 4th and 1 to the house on a 30-yd run to seal the game. Frustrating.
All-Time Series: Covered in detail above, but Tech leads 50-32-1
Duke Offense: The Devils return starting QB, Thomas Sirk, though he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon back in February requiring surgery. It is unclear if he will be back in time for their first game. But, we'll be facing them in late October so he's likely back by then. Duke returns their running backs and wide receivers. However, they have a lot of holes to fill among their O-Line, though they do have an all-conference tackle returning. Duke was a respectable 36th in the nation a season ago in total offense registering 439 yds per game. And, they scored 31.5 ppg, good for 48th nationally.
Duke Defense: Can I get an amen from the chorus that Duke Safety, Jeremy Cash, is finally graduated? He has created a lot of havoc for Tech's offense in the past 2 seasons for Duke in their wins. Duke has a lot of question marks on this side of the ball and a lot of new faces they are relying on (sounds a lot like Tech to be honest). Duke was not particularly good defensively last year - even with Cash - as they finished 60th in the nation in total defense giving up just under 400 ypg. Though, they only gave up 25.4 ppg (47th in the nation)...Tech gave up 25.8 so similar numbers there.
What I Expect to Happen: Tech will come into this game fresh as will the Devils as both have the previous week off. Duke has 3 tough road trips in their first 7 games having to travel to Northwestern, Notre Dame and Louisville. Duke should walk onto Grant Field with confidence knowing they've beaten the Good Guys 2 years in a row. Tech OTOH should walk onto Grant Field with a good homecoming crowd behind them and a score to settle for 2 of the worst games this team has played over the last 2 seasons. Cutcliffe will have his guys ready. This one should be close throughout, but I think the Jackets settle that score in a close one decided at the end... Tech wins 31-27...Tech moves to 5-3/2-3.
One thing about this game is it is Tech's last home game in a stretch of 6 of 7 since Game 2 in the season on Grant Field before heading into a tough November, which will see our guys go on the road in 3 of the final 4 (and at 3 tough opponents). Win this game and Tech could stand around 5-3 or 6-2 or maybe even 7-1 if things break our way. Lose this game and we may have to win 3 of these final 4 to qualify for a MEG some place in late December.
This is homecoming. Tech is 51-15-1 on homecoming. Last year, the 'Miracle on Techwood' over Florida State was on homecoming. Tech is 6-2 in homecoming games under CPJ - only losses were to Virginia '08 and BYU '12. That loss to Virginia in '08 broke a 12-game homecoming winning streak for the Good Guys. Duke is by far Tech's most frequent opponent on homecoming as we've faced the Devils 21 times going 14-6-1. The next most frequent homecoming guest is Tulane (7 times).
Let's face it and just admit it, David Cutcliffe has turned in one of the best rebuilding jobs in CFB in decades. One of the best ever. I give credit where credit is due. He has beaten Tech 2 straight years. Last time that happened was when Visor Boy lead Duke to 3 straight wins from '87 thru '89.
This series is one of Tech's longest and most played. This will be the 84th meeting. Tech holds a 50-32-1 series lead. Younger Tech fans who mostly have only known Duke as a basement dweller in the ACC annually (less the last few years under Cutcliffe's turnaround) likely don't realize that this series was actually tied (28-28-1) after that Duke win in 1989. Starting in 1990, Tech has gone 22-4 over Duke.
Tech and Duke have played one another every year since 1933. Only Tech's series with the Cesspool goes back longer in terms of consecutive annual games to 1925 - and yes, dumb Dwags, that includes '43 and '44. Tech has only played the Cesspool (110) and Auburn (92) more times than Duke (83).
Game Info: Oct. 29, Time and TV TBA...Tech is coming off a bye week after playing 7 straight weeks, but so is Duke...the marquee ACC game this day - and perhaps game of the year - will be Clemson traveling to Tallahassee...Miami travels to Notre Dame for a NBC 3:30 kickoff...other ACC games include BC at NCSU, Louisville at Virginia...several teams have open dates and the Hokies travel to Pitt for one of those goofy Thursday night games
Last Meeting: Duke defeated Tech in the rain 34-20 at Wallace Wade Stadium...pretty miserable day...Butker converted on a FG to cut the Duke lead to 19-13 with 7 minutes to go in the 3Q and Tech regaining some momentum only to see Duke take the kickoff back for a TD and open back up a 26-13 lead...Tech scored a TD with 8 minutes to go in the game to cut it to 26-20. Tech's D got a big INT by Lawrence Austin on the ensuing Duke possession giving our offense the ball on Duke's 35 with just under 7 minutes to go. Tech's JT5 got 7 yds, then Skov got 1, then JT5 got 1. Tech chooses to go for it on 4th and 1 and we get stuffed handing the ball back over to Duke with 4:54 left. Tech's D again stands up and forces a 3-and-out punt by Duke getting Tech's O back on the field with the ball at Tech's 38 with just under 3 minutes left. Tech fumbles, Duke recovers at Tech's 35, and Duke takes a 4th and 1 to the house on a 30-yd run to seal the game. Frustrating.
All-Time Series: Covered in detail above, but Tech leads 50-32-1
Duke Offense: The Devils return starting QB, Thomas Sirk, though he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon back in February requiring surgery. It is unclear if he will be back in time for their first game. But, we'll be facing them in late October so he's likely back by then. Duke returns their running backs and wide receivers. However, they have a lot of holes to fill among their O-Line, though they do have an all-conference tackle returning. Duke was a respectable 36th in the nation a season ago in total offense registering 439 yds per game. And, they scored 31.5 ppg, good for 48th nationally.
Duke Defense: Can I get an amen from the chorus that Duke Safety, Jeremy Cash, is finally graduated? He has created a lot of havoc for Tech's offense in the past 2 seasons for Duke in their wins. Duke has a lot of question marks on this side of the ball and a lot of new faces they are relying on (sounds a lot like Tech to be honest). Duke was not particularly good defensively last year - even with Cash - as they finished 60th in the nation in total defense giving up just under 400 ypg. Though, they only gave up 25.4 ppg (47th in the nation)...Tech gave up 25.8 so similar numbers there.
What I Expect to Happen: Tech will come into this game fresh as will the Devils as both have the previous week off. Duke has 3 tough road trips in their first 7 games having to travel to Northwestern, Notre Dame and Louisville. Duke should walk onto Grant Field with confidence knowing they've beaten the Good Guys 2 years in a row. Tech OTOH should walk onto Grant Field with a good homecoming crowd behind them and a score to settle for 2 of the worst games this team has played over the last 2 seasons. Cutcliffe will have his guys ready. This one should be close throughout, but I think the Jackets settle that score in a close one decided at the end... Tech wins 31-27...Tech moves to 5-3/2-3.
