The Duke Blue Devils beat the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 28-21 in what would ordinarily be an typical score for two ACC gridiron cupcakes dishing it out for potential bowl eligibility. the difference this year? With the win, Duke moved to 9-2 on the season. Duke is now in control of their own destiny in the ACC, which is up to each individual as to what that's worth, considering Miami, once a top five contender thought capable of challenging FSU , now looks as effective as Healthcare.gov.
Though Georgia Tech holds a tiebreaker over the Dukies – go figure – Duke still controls the ACC Coastal in both football and basketball. Who are they, Texas? Considering the recent tenure of Mack Brown, the comparison isn't totally off base. Even if Duke is only the next team up on FSU's road to the BCS, they'll have as much credibility as Rick Barnes' perennial tournament flameout squads. Duke still has all their credit on the hardwood. Jabari Parker is looking like the next Grant Hill and a sure-fire lottery pick in the NBA Draft.
The Blue Devils are already prepared for next season though, stealing FSU's steez by signing another Winston to lead their program, top rated 2014 prospect Justice Winston. Is it a sustainable model? For now, it's unclear. Duke is in control, for now, and coach David Cufcliffe has his squad on an upward trend. In a conference clearly betting on basketball for it's long-term survival – bringing in Pitt and 'Cuse – Duke is poised to become the big football fish in the small ACC pond. But in a year in which football has come under heavy scrutiny from all angles in 2013, perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that a basketball school is getting ready to run things.
