Yaller Jacket
Ramblin' Wreck
- Messages
- 979
Duke was one of my earliest GT memories. Circa 1960, I remember the Blue Devil mascot found a way to climb onto the crossbar pregame. He cavorted up there and entertained the fans. I could tell by the way the grownups acted that Duke was a pushover and we could count on a win. I didn't yet understand the up an down cycles and that Duke had not always been bad. I also had Clemson in their category in those days.
Now Duke is frequently a bowl team, sometimes beats ranked opponents and scares a lot of ranked opponents. Beaten us the last two years. It is a scary game, and one we really need to scratch and claw our way to a winning record and a bowl game.
Boomer's approach (or at least the way I interpret his approach), is that each game should be taken separately. Never count on either a win or a loss. If we win, be pleased no matter the opponent. If we lose a tight, dramatic game, be happy for the drama and entertainment. I realize the truth and wisdom here, but I sometimes miss the days when we could just assume a win against Duke.
Now Duke is frequently a bowl team, sometimes beats ranked opponents and scares a lot of ranked opponents. Beaten us the last two years. It is a scary game, and one we really need to scratch and claw our way to a winning record and a bowl game.
Boomer's approach (or at least the way I interpret his approach), is that each game should be taken separately. Never count on either a win or a loss. If we win, be pleased no matter the opponent. If we lose a tight, dramatic game, be happy for the drama and entertainment. I realize the truth and wisdom here, but I sometimes miss the days when we could just assume a win against Duke.