November 25, 2006 (3:24pm)

It's official....effective immediately, Duke football is on Southern Fried Football™ Probation.

The Blue Devils put the finishing touches on a perfect 0-12 regular season with a heartbreaking 45-44 defeat to archrival North Carolina. In a battle of the first ever "Southern Fried Football™ Probation Bowl", the Blue Devils proved they are the real deal, and certainly worthy of SFF Probation by losing the game by virtue of a blocked extra point.

The loss extended Duke's losing streak to 20 in a row, the longest current losing streak in America....Congrats, Duke....you've certainly earned the right to be placed on Southern Fried Football™ Probation.

Unlike in previous probationary periods that involved both East Carolina and North Carolina respectively, the Duke case is unique. The Blue Devils will not be eligible for Southern Fried Football™ Tour consideration until they become bowl eligible.....however long that might take.

We enjoyed our visit to the Duke campus for the first ever Southern Fried Football™ Probation Bowl...but until something changes, we don't expect to be back anytime soon. I'm sure both Duke football fans will be crushed.

The History of Southern Fried Football Probation

On October 30, 1999, the University of North Carolina football team taunted their opponent, the Furman Paladins, before the game in their "special blue uniforms" and proceeded to lose 28-3. The lopsided loss did not go unnoticed by the Southern Fried Football Board of Governors. An emergency meeting was held, and it was immediately announced that UNC would be placed on "Southern Fried Football Probation". The Heels were eligible for Tour consideration in 2001.
On August 31, 2002, the East Carolina University football team traveled to Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium to play the Duke Blue Devils. At the time, Duke had the nation's longest losing streak at 23 consecutive games. Duke upset ECU, 23-16, and the few Duke fans in attendance for their own home game rushed the field to tear down the goal posts. Needless to say, the Southern Fried Football Board of Governors wasted no time in slapping the proud Pirate program with a two-year probation. The Pirates are now eligible for Tour consideration.