Cincinnati Accepts Belk Bowl Invitation, Set to Face the Duke Blue Devils
By Chris Bains
It’s official. The Bearcats will be heading to warm environment of Charlotte, North Carolina to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Belk Bowl (formerly the Meineke Car Care Bowl). The name has changed but the opponents have not. For years this bowl has pitted the 3rd best team from the Big East against the 5th best from the ACC. Unfortunately with North Carolina and Miami (FL) banned from the postseason play and the conference as a whole having a down year (and that’s being generous), the Bearcats will be forced to face a 6 – 6 Duke team that won just 3 ACC games.
Like the link above mentions, this is Duke’s first bowl appearance since 1994. Everyone who’s anyone knows that Duke is known for two things; basketball and smart people. Football is arguably the Blue Devils’ third most important sport right behind lacrosse and it’s shown on the football field. But this year they’re experiencing a markedly better performance under fifth-year head coach David Cutcliffe. Shocking the world they raced out to 5 – 1 record behind a dangerous passing attack. However as the strength of schedule ramped up, the Blue Devils didn’t, and lost 5 of their last 6 games. Now they will be facing a Cincinnati team clicking on all cylinders and boasting tons of momentum from a recent Big East Championship.
Check in to Bearcats Nation over the next couple of weeks for the complete breakdown of UC’s Belk Bowl opponent.