— When the Duke Blue Devils host UNC Saturday night in the season's final home game, fans who have been living in tents to get a prime seat will see their suffering end.

Should the No. 5 Devils beat No. 9 Carolina, those same fans can indulge on Monday in free waffles, hashbrowns and coffee at the Waffle House on Durham's Ninth Street.

The all-day breakfast restaurant is pledging free meals for fans of the winning team. Should the Heels be successful, the prize will be served up from the Waffle House on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.

​ The Rules of Krzyzewskiville Duke students camp out annually for tickets to the game against Carolina. Tents are subject to checks. Those who aren't present can lose their place in line, thus the ability to earn a spot for the game. While "tenting" can last for more than a month, there are some times students are allowed to leave tents unattended. For one hour after a tent check is completed. Two hours before and after a men’s or women’s home basketball game. One hour before and after a men’s or women’s away basketball game. During a severe thunderstorm warning, flood warning, tornado warning, or when sustained winds exceed 30 mph or lightning is spotted within a 6-mile radius. Any time temperatures fall below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. When more than 2 inches of snow or ice are on the ground.

The "Waffle Wager" is the newest twist in one of the oldest rivalries in college basketball. (UNC leads overall, with 136 wins to Duke's 110.)

The tradition of "tenting" or camping out for student tickets to the home game in the area known as Krzyzewskiville is a long-standing one on the Duke campus, complete with line monitors and severe-weather rules.

The rules kicked in Friday for students in the "walk-up line," those who choose to spend January indoors and to line up a mere month before the big game. Those in line were accorded "grace," the Duke term for an easing of the rules that allows fans to leave personal items in line but does not require that a person be present at all times.

Wind gusts in Durham Friday morning reached 36 mph, and the overnight low temperature was 46 degrees, according to WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze.

"The winds will lessen a bit overnight Friday but could still be an issue on Saturday," Maze said, noting that temperatures are forecast to dip into the low 30s early Saturday morning.

In Chapel Hill, fans were preparing for the rematch and a return to their tradition: the Franklin Street celebration. The Tar Heels were victorious in the teams' first meeting of the season, beating Duke 82-78.

Samantha Whitt, a Duke freshman, was busy taking down what was left of her tent Friday afternoon after the wind did its work.

"We lost to UNC the first time, but not this time, because it's home court," Whitt said.

Other students were milling about the area Friday afternoon, looking forward to the rematch.

"Right now, it's empty. It looks like a wasteland, but if you were here last night, it would've looked like a banger," Duke freshman Henry Don said.

In Chapel Hill, UNC students said they're hoping to repeat their rush of Franklin Street.

"I've heard about it and seen pictures of it, but to actually rush it was a whole other experience," Carson Penry said.

UNC freshman Isaiah Elkins said rushing Franklin Street is the "experience everyone wants to have."

"If we went 2-22 for the season and those wins were Duke, then we'd be happy."