Twas the night before the bowl game and all through the house, Duke fans patiently await tomorrows match up with Indiana.  The Blue Devils have an opportunity to get their first bowl win since 1961 when they knocked off Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl and the program is hungry to do just that.

In order for Duke to come away with a win, they will have to put points on the board.  Scottie Montgomery will be making the calls one last time before he heads to East Carolina to be the Pirates next head coach.  Under his guidance, Thomas Sirk has blossomed to lead Duke in passing and rushing which is a rare thing indeed.

While Duke has been good on offense at times, their defense was a mess down the stretch and that bodes well for an Indiana team that can put points up in bunches.  In fact, it's the best offense Duke will have faced save North Carolina who scored 66 points which started the late season plummet.  Duke will also be without their leader in Jeremy Cash on the defensive side of the ball.

The Indiana offensive engine is started by Nate Sudfield who guided the Hoosiers to a Big Ten leading 491 yards a game.  But the true threat for the red clad bunch will be RB Jordan Howard and All Big Ten First Team selection who is a game changer.  The bottom line is Indiana can flat-out get on a roll on offense and they scored on everybody they played no matter the competition.

The Hoosiers are also coached by UNC alum Kevin Wilson, but while his team has been good on offense, the defense has been suspect. They are led by LB Marcus Oliver but they are not especially intimidating and this is where Duke needs to take advantage.  For that to happen, Duke needs to establish their running game and hit on some big plays while not turning the ball over.

As we approach the game, it will not be as cold as it normally is in New York this time of year, so that means no sloppy field.  Both teams will have to adjust to the atmosphere as well in Yankee Stadium which is unique in every way.  Duke sold their full allotment of tickets with the lat 1600 or so going to military and first response families.

The game shapes up as a good one where folks are expecting a track meet and lot's of scoring.  The over/under in the game is a whopping 72 points which is the second most of any bowl game played per projection.  Duke also comes in as a 3 point underdog.

Anything other than a win would be disappointing for Duke and the same can be said for Indiana.  The Hoosiers have the momentum coming in but Duke has historically done well in bowl games with time to prepare.

With that said it's time for the game prediction and the feeling here is that Duke will outlast Indiana and raise the trophy at day's end in the Bronx, New York.

Duke 41 Indiana 38