Duke is having great season. However, 90, 93 and 100 yards against our best opponents (all losses) thus far is not Heisman worthy.
Our last running back who made it to New York sh*t the bed against the best opponent he faced that year; and he, unlike Duke, was surrounded with one of the greatest collection of skill players in CFB history and a Heisman finalist at quarterback. But for Willis's screen pass against FSU (which, by the way, he got run down on), his performance against FSU was pedestrian at best. Duke almost had more yards rushing against FSU last year in the first half than Willis had in the 2002 game against FSU. Willis boosted his stats against doormats like Rutgers, Syracuse, BC, and a ****ty V Tech team. Revisionist history is a common theme on this board. The comparison here is no slight on Willis and his amazing 2002 year. Rather, it serves to bring come context to Duke's performance this year. Comparatively speaking, this team, including the o line, is sh*t compared to Miami's 2002 squad. Every opponent on our schedule is keyed to stop Duke. No team in 2002 could afford to key on Willis because there were a few other players you might remember at tight end and WR receiving passes from another guy you might remember.
I like the comparison and I get your point..but Willis (pound for pound) was the biggest freak we have ever seen at the RB position at UM and one of the top 3 freaks in UM history. (Sean Taylor and Warren Sapp are the other two)
I just had a slight problem with the direction of the post. Willis was a man child that year. No need to slight him to make the point that Duke is a monster.
But I get your point and I for one think that Duke is headed for NY if he keeps this pace up. And he will deserve it.
didnt follow the canes nearly as closely then as i do now...why was it that willis struggled against fsu before that screen pass? was our OL weaker than the year before? was it the same issue that led to us not crushing ohio state in the national championship?
Our OL was overrated that year. They were in the shadow of the great wall in 2001 but they just were not as good.
Also, FSU front 7 that year had some monsters on it. And OSU just man-handled our Oline all game. Kinda like how UL did us this year and Duke was rendered useless.
People here have short memories. All of a sudden Willis was overrated and was the product of the Oline! Lol. Like Portis wasnt running behind that 2001 group! Smh.