jdupree@heraldsun.com; 419-6674
DURHAM -- There was a little bit of the good, the bad and the ugly over the weekend for Duke and North Carolina.
The Blue Devils certainly experienced each during Saturday's 49-10 loss to Georgia Tech. There's no shame in losing to the Yellow Jackets, especially considering that they remain just behind the six unbeaten teams at the top of the latest BCS standings.
The Blue Devils gave the fans at Wallace Wade Stadium plenty to cheer about early. Unfortunately, many of the arrive-late, leave-early 25,899 in attendance probably missed Duke's nine-play scoring drive that had Georgia Tech's supporters shaking their heads.
Equally impressive was the three-and-out Duke's defense forced its first time on the field. That series will be forgotten by most in the wake of the final outcome, but it should be considered a sign of what is possible -- even with star lineman Vince Oghobaase not playing because of an injury.
Obviously, the Yellow Jackets helped with a bad snap on a punt that set up the Blue Devils on the Georgia Tech 14. But Duke was unable to move the ball and settled for a Will Snyderwine field goal.
"I was a little concerned when we got the turnover and had a short field, but we couldn't do anything with it," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. "That is almost a little sign, a little kiss of death."
Confirmation of his concern came quickly, when Georgia Tech's Orwin Smith fumbled the kickoff, then picked up the ball and ran 83 yards before being dragged down at the Duke 2. Josh Nesbitt raced in for the touchdown on first down, and the tide had shifted.
"Certainly, when they ran the kickoff back, things got a little difficult," Cutcliffe said. "We have to play well in all three phases to win. We played some games that we didn't win that we played well in two phases but not in the other.
"Today, was probably the first time we have seen Duke in quite some time not play very well in all three phases. When that happens to us, athletically, we are not going to hold up. That is basically what you saw happen out on that field today."
But this isn't the same Duke football program that hasn't come close to a bowl game in since 1994. Remember, today is Nov. 16 and the Blue Devils still have hopes of qualifying for a bowl game.
"I had a good talk with them in the locker room," Cutcliffe said. "I didn't know exactly what to do. What do you say?
"It does come down to this. It comes down to our program, it comes down to this season. There are a lot of things wrapped up in these two ballgames that are extremely important to us."
Granted, beating Miami -- which is coming off a stinging loss to North Carolina, more on that later -- at Landshark Stadium on Saturday is going to be a tough task, and a win over Wake Forest in the season finale is far from a certainty.
But again, it's the middle of November, the Blue Devils are 5-5, 3-3 and more than 20 recruited players are saving four years of eligibility by redshirting while the mature physically and learn the game.
There's a word for that -- progress.
As for the Tar Heels, their victory over Miami gave them bowl eligibility. Their destination will depend on some things within their control and some that are not -- their three-game winning streak that includes victories over Virginia Tech and the Hurricanes certainly can't be ignored.
Road wins at Boston College and at rival N.C. State would be impressive, though the Wolfpack will be looking to break even (at best) in the finale. You think Pack fans would be happy to play the spoiler?
And again, it's November and we're still talking about football.
You may contact Jimmy DuPree at jdupree@heraldsun.com or 919-419-6674.
