The past few weeks have been about Duke Football gaining relevance, and today with the 13-10 win over the No. 14 Virginia Tech Hokies, they achieved just that.
This was not a typical Duke offensive attack, in fact it was their worst output of the year, but they beat the best team they have played and perhaps, as David Cutcliffe suggested, the best defense in the country. The Hokies lone loss came from the number one team, 
Alabama, in the first game of the year.
Any person looking at just the stats would think the Hokies beat the Devils handily, except when they look at that turnover column, which sadly was a tie with 4 a piece. Four interceptions a piece, yet Duke wins, never trails, and fended off a last quarter Virginia Tech surge with some strong defense. Not your typical recipe for a victory, but this isn’t your typical Duke Football program.
Susceptible to the big play all year long, and as far back as any Duke fan can truly remember, the Duke defense won the game. The Hokies made 4th and 1 conversions time and time again to continue drive after drive, but today the defense caught some breaks, and despite the offensive ineptness, was the reason for the win.
Offensively, Anthony Boone looked intimidated on every possession. He was expecting to get hit every play by that highly touted Hokie defense. His passes were not on target all day and, the running game, when it was used struggled, but clutch plays at opportune times led to 51 and 53 yard field goals by Ross Martin and a third quarter rushing touchdown by Boone after the half.
Less than 200 yards of total offense, 4 interceptions, and only 20 mins of offensive possession, and somehow Duke comes away with a win.
Duke defeated a ranked opponent for the first time since 1994. Some say they have gained relevance with this victory, and while that may be true, with relevance must come a bit of luck required to continue this success.
Duke won with no offense, decent defense, and a lot of luck today. Hopefully this game, no matter how ugly, gives Duke the confidence to attack the final four games, three of which are seen by most as winnable. The Miami game may be a stretch but as Wake Forest nearly pulled off the upset today in Miami you can’t rule anything out yet.
Now Bowl eligible, the Blue Devils should be relaxed and if all goes well, relevance in my eyes is a spot in the polls and that could be achieved sooner than you may think.
