Category: Interviews

Interview – Get to Know the Northwestern Wildcats with Louie Vaccher

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To get ready for Duke-Northwestern on Saturday, we’ve got an interview with the editor of Wildcat Report, Louie Vaccher. During a very informative discussion, we talked about the Northwestern hazing scandal, the associated lawsuits, listen to a few voicemails and, hey, we actually talk about the Wildcats and the Blue Devils! We have some game predictions from me, Louie and Duke running back Joe Ajeigbe! We also check in on Richlandia.

Please call the pod (540-632-0160), leave a message and you’ll get in an episode.

Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, Spoutible, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Interview – Get to Know the Lafayette Leopards with Charlie Berman

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Charlie Berman, the sports editor for The Lafayette, stopped by to talk about Duke’s second opponent this season. The Leopards are in the process of a turnaround under second year head coach Jim Troxell. Lafayette’s strengths are defense and running the ball. Given the short week that the Blue Devils have after a Monday night game with Clemson, expect a lot of early punches from this Patriot League foe. We also detour into Boston College’s week two matchup with Holy Cross.

Both me and Charlie give our picks and, sure enough, Dad calls in with a prediction. We have a few other voicemails, too, and a reaction to the win over the Tigers. Please call the pod (540-632-0160), leave a message and you’ll get in an episode.

Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, Spoutible, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Podcast Episode – Check your voicemail!

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We got enough calls after setting up the podcast phone number to do a mini-episode. We have comments, observations and questions from the Wife, my friend from law school Ryan, superfans Tyler and Charles, Duke alum (and my neighbor) Rick, two more superfans – Charles and Jason, a random call from “Blacksburg Kris” and This Week in Sports with the Boy!

This was a fun episode that I hope we get to do more of this season. Please call the pod (540-632-0160), leave a message and you’ll get in an episode. I’ll try to start dropping them into each episode as we go. We’re recording our next episode on Sunday and will try to post it on Wednesday. So, get your calls in quick!

Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, Spoutible, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Interview – Get to Know the Clemson Tigers with Chapel Fowler

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Chapel Fowler of The State newspaper stopped by to introduce us to Duke’s first opponent of the season, the Clemson Tigers. We talked about the strengths and the unknowns of the Tigers, how the Blue Devils will match up with Clemson on Labor Day and we dropped our win-loss predictions towards the end. You’ll learn that the Tigers have a lot of depth, a good running game and a new coordinator who likes to run the ball.

And the Duke FB Talk guys get a mention, too!

As if that weren’t enough, we get to know a little more about The State Guild and drop a reference to the IWW. As an aside, the IWW has an interesting history which you guys should take some time to read up on. We also briefly mention the history of unions in the South. That’s something that our history classes don’t devote enough time to.

Chapel was a great, informative guest who has a bright future in the business. I appreciate him stopping by and hope we get a chance to do this again.

Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, Spoutible, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Interview – Lee Rodio Previews Duke’s Upcoming Season

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Friend of the podcast Lee Rodio stopped by to preview Duke’s 2023 season. In addition to catching us up on what he’s been doing since his last interview, Lee gives his perspective on the strengths of the Blue Devils. He points out we have a great staff, a veteran team and talented people on the OL and DL. Lee is high on Duke and what the Blue Devils can accomplish this season. We also get into a discussion about one of the greatest Duke players ever – DeVon Edwards. And there’s a brief detour into a discussion about Ingles grocery stores. Oh, and happy late birthday to Noel Durfey!

During this excellent interview, Lee decides to set up shop in Cancelvania. Lee goes after Florida State, implies Clemson can’t compete outside of the ACC (his opinion, not mine), throws some shade at Dabo (again, his opinion, NOT MINE), unleashes a right hook on Pat Narduzzi and trashes the hurry-up offense. He also trashes Maryland, but that’s just stating facts.

I also take a trip to Cancelvania when I characterize the ACC’s marriage to Notre Dame as an abusive relationship. But, let’s be honest – the Notre Dame deal is going to turn the ACC into the Big East 2.0. Also, I say that the B1G is soft. Which, again, accurate.

Another key point in the interview involves the fact that I’m now an ordained minister in The Church of the Latter-Day Dude. Abide, my brothers and sisters. Abide.

Some of the conversation we had dealt with expansion which, as of the time of writing this, looks to be DOA. But, as of the time of editing this, may be back on. So, if you want to skip the expansion and get straight to the season preview, the timestamps are below:

0:00 – Introductory comments and general expansion issues

19:47 – Cal, Stanford, SMU and the future of the ACC

39:48 – Duke’s strengths for 2023 (and ancillary matters)

108:56 – Schedule prediction

131:53 – Open Mic

133:19 – Surprise announcement and ending

Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, Spoutible, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Interview – Jeff Previews the Old Coastal Teams

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Our old friend Jeff from All Sports Discussion stopped by to preview the old Coastal Division teams. In what should come as a surprise to no one, we predict a PAINFUL season for UVA. A very, very painful season. I mean, there’s going to be a whole lot of pain. And, to be clear, we’re not telling you Cavs fans there’s a chance.

In other news, Pitt and Duke get high marks from both of us and I don’t remember what we said about Chapel Hill College. That place is straight trash and no one cares about its garbage football team. An interesting recurring theme for most of the teams is the difficulty of their respective schedules. The new 3-5-5 is going to be interesting to watch develop.

This was a fun talk with a great and knowledgeable guest. We hope you enjoy it and, while you’re at it, tell a friend about both of our podcasts.

Let us know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, Spoutible, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Interview – Dan Siegel Previews the Old Atlantic Teams

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Our old friend Dan Siegel returned to the pod to preview the old Atlantic Division teams for the upcoming 2023 season. While we may not have divisions anymore, it’s still an easy way to break down the ACC come football season. Before getting into 2023 football, we discuss the pros and cons of the end of divisions and the start of the 3-5-5.

In regard to what to expect this year, Dan gives high marks to FSU and has some serious questions about the Eagles. He also thinks that the Wolfpack have a lot pressure to do well this year. Also, I come out and say that the B1G is an absolute fraud.

In addition to football, I tell an embarrassing story about my kids and Dan catches us up on what he’s been doing since last season’s interview.

Let us know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Interview – Joe Ovies

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If you follow sports in the Triangle, you know who Joe Ovies is. Joe was kind enough to stop by to talk about how he got started in sports media, his new podcast with Joe Giglio (which is great), his prior podcasting experience, the outlook for the North Carolina football teams this season and the problems facing the ACC as a whole. We also discuss the brutal schedule Duke has this season. This was a very informative talk that I know you’ll enjoy.

And as if all the sports weren’t enough, we spend a good portion of the interview talking about what we all really care about, Star Wars. SPOILER ALERT – there are plenty of spoilers in our discussion. During our Star Wars discussion, Joe and I have a debate about the greatness of Chopper, the droid from Rebels. If you aren’t familiar with Chopper, he’s the best character from Rebels and arguably the GOAT of Star Wars droids. Seriously, just look at his body count. Look, folks, there was a war on and Chopper got results. To paraphrase Ramsey from The Great Escape, a soldier has a sworn duty to harass the enemy. Chopper did that. And then some.

There’s a little bit for everyone to enjoy in this episode. I mean, I think that. But I’m fairly biased.

Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Interview – ACC Weekly Podcast Previews Duke Football

For the third season in a row, I stopped by The ACC Weekly Podcast to preview the upcoming Duke football season. This was a fun talk with some of the best podcasters in the business. You can listen to the interview here.

Thanks to Matthew and Jeff for having me back on as a guest. I always enjoy talking with these guys.

As if almost 40 minutes of Blue Devil sports weren’t enough, Tim and I recorded a cover of “Cherokee Trail” which is a great old-time tune. Fun fact, Tim actually played with the guy who wrote the song. I’m on rhythm guitar and Tim is playing his brand new mandolin which sounds great!

Let me know what you think about what I think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, on Instagram, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!

Interview – Jontavis Robertson

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Jontavis “Hollywood” Roberston stopped by for a talk about Duke’s mood coming out of Spring Ball, his position coaches, the deep wideout room, what to expect in 2023, the strength and conditioning program and Coach Elko’s fondness for Coca-Cola products. Jontavis, like all cultured soda drinkers, also likes Coke. Let me just say it’s very reassuring to know that he and Coach Elko don’t like the trash of all soda products, Pepsi.

Jontavis tells us about how much it meant for the Blue Devils to win a bowl game as well as the different running styles of each quarterback. While Riley is a giraffe, we haven’t landed on what animals Belin and Loftis run like. If you have any ideas, leave them in the comments.

Thanks, Jontavis, for stopping by. This was a fun talk.

Let me know what you think about what I think in the comments, on Mastodon, on Reddit, on Post, or on Twitter.

As always, Go Duke!