Since 1982, both teams have gone into the game with winning records only once. What was once called "The Game" in these parts has fallen on such hard times that consideration has been given to making it the season opener rather than its traditional spot at the end of the schedule.

By recent standards, though, the meeting today in Durham comes with at least a little sauce.

With the Tar Heels at 5-5, Carolina coach John Bunting can complete his Lazarus act by winning. A victory would mean a bowl bid, likely a trip to Charlotte for the Continental Tire Bowl against Connecticut, and perhaps even an ACC coach-of-the-year award for a guy who only a few weeks back looked like a plucked goose in a butcher market's window.

At 2-8, Duke is going nowhere regardless of what happens today at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Yet again, the Blue Devils are playing more for the future than the present. But a 16-13 upset of Clemson a week ago lifted Duke's spirits to the extent that another win today would make next season look a lot more promising than it did a few weeks ago.

"The hope, the belief that we can win again is there," Duke coach Ted Roof said.

In fact, both programs are trying to build their hopes.

For the Tar Heels, there's hope that one bowl could lead to another, then another.

For the Blue Devils, there's hope that a three-win season could lead to four, then five, then six.

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