Why Is Duke Football so Bad?

Because Duke Basketball is so very good.

Duke's football team went 1-7 in the ACC this year and 4-8 in overall competition, leaving them in last place in the Coastal Division without a prayer in the world. Since 2004, Duke has repetitively been in last place and the laughing stock of the ACC. Duke, a school where Coach K. and his basketball behemoths reign supreme over NCAA Division I competition, has left their football team to get clobbered by the likes of Miami, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and even NC State.

Luckily, this year's schedule looks a little less rough for the Blue Devil in the fall. Starting with a home opener against Richmond on Sep. 5, Duke's first four games leading up to ACC competition could lead to better stats this year.

Including the home opener against Richmond, Duke is also facing Army, Kansas, and NC Central in September.

Starting in October, Duke will face ACC opponents, with Virgina Tech on Oct. 3, followed by contests against NC State, Maryland, and Virginia. Duke then ends their regular season in November against North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Wake Forest.

While the final half of their season is going to be grueling, much like last year's campaigns, the beginning of the season is where Duke could shine and become bowl-eligible with the right amount of luck.

If Duke can pull off wins against Richmond, Kansas, and NC Central, then wins over Virginia and Wake Forest, Duke will tie their record for wins overall and increase their wins in conference play by one. It will also give them the chance to be bowl-eligible in the fall and extend their season into early 2010.

A school where basketball reigns supreme in varsity sports, Duke football might have a chance of redeeming themselves this year if all goes according to plan. Coach K. is still going to bring the best basketball Duke has to offer to the wood, so let's hope Coach David Cutcliffe can bring the best to the turf when Duke starts their season on Sep. 5.

Originally Posted on SportInformant.com