The moment that Duke scored its Walk-Off Touchdown to defeat Wake Forest I turned to Trenton Miller and said ” Pop Tarts “!
Duke University is about to go Bowling 🎳 for just the 11th time in my 61 years. The last second victory over the Deamon Deacons allowed the team to finish 9-3 on the year and all but clinched a Top Three Bowl 🥣 for just the second time.
Orlando (Pop Tarts), San Diego (Holiday) and Jacksonville (Gator) are the upper echelon spots and things looked very, very promising at 4pm last Saturday afternoon.
We just needed Miami, Clemson, Notre Dame and SMU to handle their business or at least three of the four.
if three of those four made the 12-team Playoff then Duke going big time would be a LOCK 🔐
On the walk 🚶♂️ back to the Car 🚗. Clemson gave up a Touchdown on 3rd and 20 to South Carolina in the final minute of play to lose to the Gamecocks. Felt bad for Dabo and his Tigers 🐅 (9-3) but we still had hope.
The Fighting Irish fall into our (ACC) Bowl 🥣 pool if they don’t make the Big Dance. Southern California played them tough but our former Quarterback, Riley Leonard capped off their 11-1 season. Put a check ✔ in that Box 📦.
SMU (11-1) took care of California without much of a struggle. ✔ 📦#2
Miami (10-2) jumped out to a 21-0 lead over Syracuse (9-3) in the Dome and all was right in the World 🌎.
Texas A & M took our Coach, Notre Dame our QB, North Carolina State our top Running Back and three solid players headed off to the National Football League. There was little hope of winning six games this season, let alone nine and we were closing in on a Big Game.
Syracuse was the only team that could catch Duke and Clemson at 9-3 so an Orange 🍊 victory would be a double setback. So naturally Syracuse scored six Touchdowns on The U and suddenly led 42-35.
Miami had a 1st and Goal from the 4 yard line with a chance to tie 👔 it at 42-42 but deceived to settle for a Game Losing Field Goal. The U had one job, borrowing from ESPN.
SMU (11-1), Miami (10-2) and Clemson, Duke and Syracuse (9-3). That is the Cream of the league this season. If two go to the 12 then the other 3 get the Goodies !
Miami also lost to right to play SMU in the ACC Championship Game later today. The winner of Clemson – SMU gets our one Guaranteed spot with Miami appearing to be the first team left out.
There’s talk of SMU getting the boot 👢if they lose to Clemson. 11-2 and regular season champs 🏆wouldn’t be enough for the Mustangs ???
Charlotte , New York City and El Paso are the 3 Bowls 🥣 just below the Big 3. We have played in all three recently and while they are nice enough places to visit……
San Diego (27th), Orlando (28th), NYC (28th), El Paso (31st), Jacksonville (2nd) and finally Charlotte (3rd). Those are the six options and later this weekend we will find out where we will be heading, Fingers Crossed !!!
Congratulations 👏 to Boise State for punching their ticket 🎟 last night. They are 12-1 and the only loss was to #1 Oregon.
A.S.P.N on The Hill 