Duke, Georgia Tech alive in ugly Coastal race

Duke, Georgia Tech alive in ugly Coastal race

Published Nov. 13, 2012 1:48 p.m. ET

DURHAM, N.C. -- Nobody saw this coming: Either Duke or Georgia Tech could win the ACC's Coastal Division title.

The Yellow Jackets became afterthoughts following their 2-4 start. And not much is ever expected from a Duke football program that hasn't had a winning season since 1994.

Yet they'll play this weekend in Atlanta in a game that's surprisingly significant in the muddy division race.

Duke (6-4, 3-3) will win the division if it beats both Georgia Tech (5-5, 4-3) and Miami. The Yellow Jackets will stay alive with a victory, but they'll need some help to claim a third title-game berth since 2006.

Duke defensive end Dezmond Johnson says outsiders thought his team's chances to get to Charlotte were "probably slim to none" before the season -- yet here they are.

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