We realize that the idea of Duke winning in football is a novelty, but winning two in a row unthinkable? Why would Dan Weiderer say that? Of course it's not unthinkable. What a ridiculous thing to say.
But it hasn't happened since 1998, so it is, at present, a novel consideration. But certainly not unthinkable.
That's not to say it's guaranteed. For one thing, Northwestern is still steamed about losing to Duke last year. And they did lay a pretty thorough whipping on Syracuse, winning 30-10.
For another, the weather is a huge variable. David Cutcliffe has a lot of respect as an offensive mastermind, but driving rains can screw up any game plan. Certainly it makes passing tougher, and holding on to the ball gets a lot harder.
On the other hand, Northwestern was planning on coming in Friday afternoon, and playing in heavy rains and 80 degree weather is a big change from what they're used to back home.
And while Duke obviously wants this game in a big way, as important as it is to learn how to win ,they also have to learn how to take a punch and come back the next week. As Cutcliffe says, the staff is pretty much walking them through everything at this point.
Having said that, if they do pull off a win this weekend, Navy is not what they were under Paul Johnson, and Duke could conceivably pull off a 3-0 start, which would be pretty nifty, to say the least.