Duke moves one step closer to first bowl since 1994

Last week, Duke moved to 4-1 for the first time since 1994. After beating Virginia today 42-17, the Blue Devils notched the program's first four-game winning streak since the same year.

It was in 1994 that Duke last reached bowl play – and Duke won four or more games only four times from 1995 through last season.

Duke has four winless seasons since 1995: 1996 (0-11), 2000 (0-11), 2001 (0-11) and 2006 (0-12). The Blue Devils won four games over a four-year span from 2004-2007, when the program was led by current Penn State defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

Now 5-1, the Blue Devils need one victory to snap the program's 17-year bowl-free streak. Over its last six games, Duke hosts North Carolina, Clemson and Miami (Fla.), and plays road games against Virginia Tech, Florida State and Georgia Tech.

Even if Duke goes 0-6 over the season's second half – which seems unlikely – the five wins would match a program high since 1994.

Today's victory over the Cavaliers came without the help of senior quarterback Sean Renfree, a third-year starter who injured his elbow in last Saturday's win over Wake Forest. Coach David Cutcliffe turned to sophomore Anthony Boone, who completed 17 of 30 pass attempts for 204 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.

A close consultation of the ACC Coastal division standings finds Miami and Duke running first and second, joining Florida State as the only ACC teams to be at least 2-0 in league play. Duke? A bowl team? Don't sell this team short. Duke very well might make a run at the Coastal crown, earning a shot at FSU for an automatic BCS bowl berth.