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Friday, November 17, 2017

Duke Preview

Botched it up again last week.  Wasn't really in the mood to post after the UVA debacle.  In hindsight maybe not a terrible loss, but not good.  UVA isn't terribly good.  So even though it was on the road, that was a game we probably should have won.  Don't think the rain helped us much, but you've still got to make plays. 

Another frustrating loss, made even more frustrating (to me) by the VT win.  Which we should have won by 14-20 points but instead nearly choked away.  There is just something about this team.  Really, we are pretty good.  But we just find ways to lose, or nearly lose.  We could easily be 8-1 right now, and that hypothetical 8-1 is all the more impressive now that we see how good Miami is. 

Tennessee was simply a horrible loss.  UVA not a good one.  Miami a good loss maybe but still a game that was there for the taking.  Double digit leads in the second half of all of them. 

So, since we have yet to win a single game this year anywhere but Bobby Dodd, I hesitate to predict a win.  Even though we should beat Duke.  I'm worried.  Of course, I would gladly continue the pattern for two more weeks (no wins on the road, no losses at home).  But given how unlikely a win over UGA looks, I'd rather go ahead and lock up a bowl this weekend. 

Duke's offense is bad.  In between #85 and #100 or so nationally based on the computer models I follow.  Their defense is good though, about 30-40th nationally.  Our offense and defense are both about 25-30th nationally.  Duke does have the edge in special teams according to football outsiders (the only model I know of that ranks special teams).  Duke is 89th, while we are 124th nationally (out of 130 teams).  That may be where some of our "hidden" failures have been this season.  We have close to the worst special teams in the country. 

Anyway, I guess I predict a win, because we should win, but I don't feel good about it.  Just don't have much confidence in this team to do what its supposed to do.  We'll see. 

As always, Go Jackets!

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