Dookies Squeeze Out a Big One

Just know it's not a sign of the Apocalypse.

The Duke Blue Devils are officially the champions of the ACC Coastal Division.

And they definitely had to earn their way into the ACC Championship game yesterday afternoon at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.

It took them the entire game to secure that spot, but they did it. This was a monumental achievement for the Dookies.

Unfortunately, now the Blue Devils must play the No 1 team in the country, the current Herculus of college football -- Florida State's Seminoles -- next Saturday 7 December to earn the right to play in the Orange Bowl.

The Blue Devils -- facing their in-state rivals -- had to will their way to victory, and they certainly earned the "W". Given the country's pre-season expectactions for them, Duke managed to overachieve this season while, for the most part, flying under the radar, only to emerge as champions, boasting a 6-2 ACC record.

Riding a 7-game winning streak, I knew this game wasn't going to be a blowout. Duke, although dominating at times, has had a tendency to induce nail-biters, and this game can certainly be classified as such. It took a field goal with 2:22 left in the 4th quarter for Duke to go up by two in Chapel Hill. With plenty of time on the clock, all the Tar Heels needed was a field goal to win the game. Given the back-and-forth tone of how the game was being played, it felt like the Tar Heels were headed for victory, only to be spurned an opportunity to shock the Blue Devils.

DeVon Edward's interception with 13 seconds left sealed the deal, and the Duke fanbase exploded with excitement. Duke, not known for being a formidable football opponent, is now 10-2 for the first time in school history. This is their first chance to play in the ACC Championship game, capping an epic year thus far for the Blue Devils.

Despite playing the No 1 team in the country next weekend, and given the location of the ACC Championship game -- Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte -- Duke does have a chance, albeit, a small one.

If Auburn-like breaks fall the Dookies' way and they wind up pulling off the upset of the year, let's hope their MVP won't be Willie Meggs.