 The Blue Devils hit the road again this Saturday, venturing north to East Hartford for a 3:30 PM (ET) kickoff against the Huskies. After last weekend’s sensational win at Clemson in Death Valley, Duke improves to 5-3 and faces their last in season non-conference test. Duke owns a 2-0 edge in its last two meetings with UConn. Quick Thoughts If you read my bowl projection from earlier this week, you know I’m bullish on where this Duke squad can go if they keep stacking wins. But make no mistake — this road trip to UConn has “trap game” written all over it. These are two of the most explosive offenses in the country. Duke brings the 18th-ranked offense into this matchup, while UConn sits just below with the 20th-ranked unit. At quarterback, both sides are in very good hands: Duke’s Darian Mensah is now pushing over 2,500 passing yards this season, and UConn’s veteran signal-caller Joe Fagnano is also above 2,500 yards, averaging 281 per game. When it comes to the defenses, neither unit has been consistently dominant at limiting big plays. Duke is surrendering roughly 263 passing yards per game, and while UConn’s pass defense is a bit better (about 216.7 yards allowed), the Huskies still face their own challenges against high-flying attacks. In short, this one's going to be high-octane and any defensive lapses could be punished. Why It Matters A win here does more than just pad the ledger for Duke. With three regular-season games remaining after this one, a victory on Saturday would officially secure bowl eligibility for the Blue Devils and keep them in position for a quality postseason destination. For UConn, this matchup is all about validation — proving they can hold their own against Power Four competition and continue building momentum heading into the final stretch of the season, especially with bowl eligibility already in hand. Final Prediction FanDuel currently lists Duke as a 9.5-point favorite with the over/under set at 63.5. Given how well Duke’s offense has been rolling — and factoring in that UConn can’t be overlooked, especially at home — here’s how I see it playing out: Duke takes care of business but gets tested early. The Blue Devils’ offensive firepower should ultimately prove too much as they pull away in the second half. With both teams capable of lighting up the scoreboard, I’m leaning toward the Over on total points. Duke 45 UConn 24 Go Duke! 
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 After taking off the bye week and then watching that epic Duke win over Clemson in Death Valley we’re back with Week 11 bowl projections from Brian Kennedy of Duke Football Talk and myself, Freddie Hodges of Duke Report. Freddie Hodges – Duke Report Embracing the ACC Chaos How do you go from projecting Duke in the Fenway Bowl back in Week 9 to where I’m about to go now? Well… let’s just say I took a deep dive down the rabbit hole today — and I’m still trying to climb out. I started looking at every remaining ACC schedule, every possible scenario, and all the wild “what ifs” that could (key word: could) happen if the dice roll just right. And if you think my new projection is way off? Hey, I totally get it. I’ll even give you a full money-back guarantee — which is pretty generous considering, you know, this content on Blue Devils Blog is free 😂. Right now, predicting ACC bowl destinations feels like throwing a dart into the ocean and hoping it hits a dartboard rocking on the waves. I’ve racked my brain, gone through half a bottle of white-out, and crumpled up enough notebook paper to fill a recycling bin. The league is packed with teams hovering near the top, and trying to sort through it all feels like a longshot — maybe even a lottery ticket. There’s still plenty of football left, and the season has a lot of chaos still to play out. I could realistically see Duke ending up anywhere from the Fenway Bowl to the Pinstripe, Duke’s Mayo, Sun, Holiday, Pop-Tarts, or even (dare I say it) the College Football Playoff. The only one I’m ruling out? The Gator Bowl — after that Ole Miss beatdown last year, I doubt Duke makes a return trip there anytime soon. Make no mistake — “Coastal Chaos” is alive, well, and screaming louder than ever. The ACC is total madness at the top right now. But Vegas is taking notice of Duke’s run, and some sportsbooks actually have the Blue Devils favored to win the ACC Championship. And honestly? I’m right there with them. That road win at Clemson was a statement. Manny Diaz showed serious guts going for two in the final minutes, with Duke pulling off that 46–45 win in Death Valley didn’t just make Duke fans believe — it caught the oddsmakers’ attention too. Here’s where I’m at:
With the first College Football Playoff rankings out, it’s looking like the ACC will be a one-team playoff league — which means my early Miami-to-Pop-Tarts Bowl and Georgia Tech-to-Gator Bowl projections might hold. As for Duke, the final four games — UConn, Virginia, UNC, and Wake Forest — are all winnable if Duke avoids digging early holes. Win all four, and you’re talking about a potential serious run at the ACC Championship Game. Pitt still has to face Georgia Tech and Miami, and Louisville’s road (with Clemson and SMU still ahead) isn’t any easier. SMU could make noise, but that Louisville matchup will be a tough one. For now, some sportsbooks have it like this for the ACC Championship:
If Duke wins out and takes home the ACC title, that puts them at 10–3, and possibly (even with 3 losses) one of the top five conference champs — which could earn them an automatic bid into the 12-team College Football Playoff. Call me crazy, maybe it’s all those years around the Cameron Crazies and Wade Whackos, but this week my projection has Duke in the College Football Playoff — sneaking in as one of the bottom seeds and heading on the road to face a higher seed. Wild? Absolutely. Possible? Anything is possible with ACC Chaos! But hey, it's ACC Chaos — and anything can happen. First step: take care of business on the road at UConn this Saturday!  Brian Kennedy - Duke Football Talk Well Duke fans, if you have not been entertained by this team so far this season, I've got nothing for you. Duke went down to Death Valley and claimed their first road win over Clemson since 1980. This was also the first time since 1969-1970 where the Devils have won 2 straight against Clemson. While this game was one for the ages, Duke still has work to do. The win did put them one step closer to bowl eligibility, but they still need to handle business against Connecticut this weekend. A Duke win, and Duke will be bowl eligible for the 4th consecutive season, which has not happend since 2012-2015. Now for the not so fun part. Coastal Chaos continues to reek havoc on the ACC, further muddying the waters of post season play. With Georgia Tech's loss to NC State, all 1 loss teams now have a shot to make it to Charlotte to the ACC title game. Virginia is hosting Wake this weekend, and a Cavaliers loss could certainly happen. If that does, Coastal Chaos will have grown to a category 5 situation. These next few weeks are going to be wild. As far as where Duke could be headed, that is even harder to nail down. A lot of factors come into play, and there are some out there that show NO ACC team making the playoff which would throw a huge wrench into where teams go. Instead of getting clarity on things, more teams are becoming bowl eligible, with others knocking on the door such as Duke. I am still going off the notion that at least 1 ACC school will make the playoffs. With all that being said, I am yet again moving the Blue Devils to a new destination. As I am going through scenarios in my head, I no longer see Florida as a path for Duke (unless they win out). A northern bowl is certainly an option but based off where I have certain teams landing, I am moving the Blue Devils to El Paso and the Sun Bowl. Personally, I don't want to see this for the sake of fans being able to go and the distance to travel. As I have stated before, the more Duke wins, the more options open up for bowl destinations. Here is to Duke defeating Connecticut this weekend and becoming bowl eligible!  Stay tuned — Brian and I will be updating projections every week right here at Blue Devils Blog. See you at Wallace Wade.   Duke Football is back after a much-needed bye week! The Blue Devils head to Death Valley for a noon kickoff Saturday against Clemson — and both teams are looking to bounce back. Quick Thoughts Side note — the way these bye weeks have been spaced out this season has made it feel like a strange schedule overall. I remember talking with Manny Diaz at ACC Kickoff back in July about it, and even he said the setup was bizarre. But as he reminded everyone: you’ve just got to go play the games. And that’s exactly what Duke will need to do this weekend — play a solid football game on the road. Both Duke and Clemson are coming off bye weeks and both are trying to right the ship after tough home losses. Clemson fell to SMU 35–24, while Duke dropped one to Georgia Tech 27–18. Yeah… that Georgia Tech loss still stings (and yes, I said stings lol). It really felt like a game Duke could’ve won by 15 or 20 points if not for a few early mistakes that just boggled the mind. Why It Matters You already know this one matters. Both teams are trying to turn things around before the stretch run. Clemson, sitting at 3–4, is trying to salvage what’s left of a season that’s felt like a disappointment by their own high standards. Meanwhile, Duke (4–3) is chasing bowl eligibility and trying to climb back into position for a strong finish — and yes, even a long-shot ACC Championship Game appearance isn’t totally out of the question. A win on the road at Death Valley, even against a “down” Clemson team, would be a statement. It could reset the tone for Duke’s season and remind the rest of the league that the Blue Devils aren’t going anywhere. Final Prediction FanDuel currently lists Clemson as a 3.5-point favorite with the over/under at 54.5. Look, if Clemson ever flips that switch, they still have enough talent to finish strong. But if Duke comes out with focus and avoids those early self-inflicted mistakes we’ve seen in recent weeks, this game is absolutely there for the taking. Death Valley is the last place you want to dig yourself into an early hole — so Duke will need a fast start, disciplined execution, and clean football on both sides of the ball. I expect a tough, physical game with both defenses forcing turnovers. I’m taking the under 54.5, and yes — it’s the fan in me talking — but I’m rolling with the Blue Devils to pull it out on the road. This feels like a turning-point game for Duke’s season. Duke 24 Clemson 21 Go Duke!  Duke Basketball closed out its exhibition slate a perfect 2-0, showing flashes of dominance and plenty of promise as the Blue Devils gear up for the regular season opener against Texas in Charlotte. The first tune-up came inside the friendly confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium, where Duke rolled past a Johnny Dawkins-led UCF squad, 96–71, on October 21. Freshman sensation Cameron Boozer made an instant statement with a monster 33-point, 12-rebound performance. Head coach Jon Scheyer praised his team’s effort but emphasized there’s still work to do, saying: “There is a lot we have to get better at, but I did like the competitiveness. I did like the fire that we showed. We may not be deep in terms of numbers, but I think our depth is in our versatility with the different lineups we can play.” As a fan first and media member second, it was special to see Johnny Dawkins return to Cameron, where the crowd greeted him with loud applause during a heartfelt moment at center court with Coach K and Jon Scheyer. The Brotherhood Run— which started with Bobby Hurley’s return last season—continues to be a fantastic tradition, welcoming back former Duke players now leading programs across the country. This season’s “Brotherhood” matchups continue in November when Duke hosts Niagara (coached by Greg Paulus) on Nov. 21 and Howard (coached by Kenny Blakeney) on Nov. 23. The second exhibition was anything but easy. On October 26, Duke went on the road to face a tough, physical Tennessee team inside a sold-out Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. Watching it later myself (after a beach trip), one thing stood out loud and clear: Cameron Boozer is that dude. He stuffed the stat sheet with 24 points, 23 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal, leading Duke to an 83–76 win in a gritty battle. Isaiah Evans added 22 points, and Patrick Ngongba nearly posted a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds — plus one of the most memorable plays of the night, diving headfirst into the crowd for a loose ball. It was the kind of hustle moment that gets Duke fans fired up and perfectly summed up the team’s fight in a tough road environment. Scheyer was pleased with how his team responded in the hostile setting, saying: “That was everything we could ask for, and more. Amazing crowd, by the way, for an exhibition game. The way their fans showed out was incredible, and that’s exactly what we wanted for our team. To put ourselves in a position, in a tough game, where we have to grow very quickly. And I think we did that.” Now, it’s on to Charlotte. Duke opens the regular season Tuesday, November 4, against Texas in the Dick Vitale Invitational. Tip-off is set for 8:45 PM — because of course, Duke’s on late again! Expect the crowd to be heavily Blue Devil–leaning, as Charlotte has always been a second home for Duke fans. After all, this is the same city where Duke cut down the nets as 2025 ACC Tournament champions just last March. This matchup with Texas kicks off a challenging non-conference slate Scheyer has assembled to prepare his team for March. The ACC should be stronger this year, but this test in Charlotte marks the start of the regular season — and a gauntlet of non-conference battles awaits ahead. A few shots I grabbed from inside Cameron during Duke’s exhibition against UCF — all taken on my iPhone. After taking off the bye week we’re back with Week 9 bowl projections from Brian Kennedy of Duke Football Talk and myself, Freddie Hodges of Duke Report. Freddie Hodges – Duke Report As I look back on Saturday’s performance, I can’t help but echo Brian’s sentiment: What if… What if Duke hadn't dug itself that early hole? The 95-yard fumble return for a Georgia Tech touchdown set a tone Duke never fully shook. What should’ve been an easy rushing score turned into a disaster. What should’ve been a routine field goal turned into another missed opportunity. Mistakes piled up, and by the time the clock hit zero, it felt like Duke had handed Georgia Tech the win gift-wrapped. It’s tough to swallow because this truly could’ve been a 20+ point Duke victory if the wheels hadn’t come off. Now, Duke sits at 4–3 overall, 3–1 in the ACC. The dream of Charlotte and an ACC Championship appearance is still alive—but that door is beginning to close. And beyond that, a top-tier bowl bid like the Pop-Tarts Bowl is becoming a distant chance. Duke isn’t even bowl eligible yet, and nothing can be assumed. With a bye week ahead, then a trip to Clemson on November 1st, followed by a resilient Virginia squad still looming on the schedule, the Blue Devils must narrow their focus to one thing: just win games. Coastal Chaos, Still Very Much Alive If you thought the old Coastal Division died, think again—it just spread across the conference.
Absolute chaos. And Duke is caught right in the middle of it. As for my bowl projection this week... I held steady with Duke to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl for weeks. Then I bumped them up to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, believing continued momentum would carry them there. But after the Georgia Tech loss, I’m shifting my projection north—all the way to Boston—for the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. Could that change? Absolutely. A win at Clemson in two weeks would shake everything up again. The ACC is unpredictable, Duke still has five games left, and if “Coastal Chaos” has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is certain—including my bowl projection. From Wallace Wade to wherever… this ride is far from over.  Brian Kennedy - Duke Football Talk Well Duke fans, Saturday's game was a game of what ifs. What if Duke had not fumbled the ball on their first drive at the one yard line? What if they had been able to score a rushing touchdown more than once? What if special teams had performed? When I am asking that many questions about a game, the turnout is what you would expect. Duke SHOULD have defeated GT, but in the end, Duke defeated themselves. Another potential program defining game, and another loss to show. As the saying goes, I am not mad anymore, I'm just disappointed. With the loss Duke falls to 4-3 on the season, but only has 1 loss in ACC play. Even crazier, Duke still has a shot, albeit a small one, to make it to Charlotte for the ACC championship. A LOT has to go Duke's way (winning their own games a must) for it to happen, but with what we have seen this season with "Coastal Chaos" anything is possible. With this loss, I have to move the Blue Devils again. As we said in last week's episode of the Section 17 podcast, Duke still has to get to 6 wins to even sniff a bowl game. Will they do it? I believe so. How many wins will they have? That is now becoming harder to forecast. With the loss, I have Duke moving from one baseball stadium, to another. Duke will head to Boston and play in the Fenway Bowl. Get more wins, and move up the ladder. Get more losses, and well, Freddie and I may be suspending this article until next year. Let's hope the later of the two scenarios does not happen! We will be taking off next week due to Duke having a bye week.. but stay tuned — Brian and I will be updating projections right here at Blue Devils Blog after the Clemson game. See you at Wallace Wade.   Duke Basketball’s Top 12 Games to Watch in 2025–26 Every new Duke basketball season brings its own buzz, but the 2025–26 slate might be one of the most stacked in recent memory. Between marquee non-conference showdowns, ACC grudge matches, and the always-electric rivalry with North Carolina, this year’s schedule is loaded with can’t-miss games. I originally set out to narrow things down to a “Top 10,” but once the list came together, I couldn’t cut it off there — too many big ones. So here are the Top 12 Duke Games to Circle This Season. 1. Duke vs. Texas (November 4 – Charlotte, NC) The season tips off in Charlotte with a heavyweight battle against Texas. It’s a statement game right out of the gate — a chance for Duke to set the tone against a physical Big 12 opponent in front of what will most certainly be a pro-Blue Devil crowd. 2. Duke vs. Kansas – Champions Classic (November 18 – Madison Square Garden, NY) MSG + Duke + Kansas = college basketball at its finest. The Champions Classic always delivers, and the Blue Devils and Jayhawks have already built a strong history in this event. Bill Self’s teams always bring toughness, and Duke-Kansas matchups have produced instant classics over the years — from early-season battles to NCAA Tournament thrillers. This one should be no different. #3 Duke vs. Arkansas – CBS Sports Classic (November 27 – Chicago, IL) Thanksgiving Day hoops in the Windy City! When you need a break from all the NFL action, Duke-Arkansas is the perfect holiday reset. With John Calipari now steering the Razorbacks, this isn’t just another neutral-site game — it’s a marquee showdown with plenty of intrigue, served up as a tasty side dish to your Turkey Day feast. 4. Duke vs. Florida (December 2 – Cameron Indoor Stadium) The defending national champions come to Durham. Cameron Indoor will be rocking as Duke gets a chance to measure itself against the champs early in December. Many of us had this exact matchup penciled in on our brackets for the 2025 national championship game, but it never came to be — making this clash in Cameron feel even bigger. 5. Duke at Michigan State (December 6 - East Lansing, MI) Just four days after their clash with Florida, Duke heads back on the road for another heavyweight battle—this time against Michigan State at the always-intimidating Breslin Center. The Spartans, fresh off an Elite Eight run, are led by Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo, whose teams are notorious for their physical play and rebounding edge. Add in the raucous East Lansing crowd, and this early-December showdown has all the makings of a statement game. 6. Duke vs. Texas Tech (December 20 – Madison Square Garden, NY) Back to MSG for another marquee matchup, this time against Texas Tech. By late December, this game could carry big momentum heading into ACC play. 7. Duke at Louisville (January 6 – Louisville, KY) Kicking off the new year with an ACC road battle, the Yum! Center is sure to be rocking. This could be a potential Top 10 or Top 25 ACC matchup, and with a mix of talented transfers, promising freshmen, and a healthy frontcourt back in action, the Cardinals will be fired up to take their shot at Duke in front of a raucous home crowd. 8. Duke vs. Louisville (January 26 – Cameron Indoor Stadium) Back in Cameron for the rematch, and the Cameron Crazies will be on their A-game. This could be another potential Top 10 or Top 25 ACC showdown, with Duke looking to assert itself against a Cardinals team that has reloaded with transfers and promising young talent. Expect intensity, passion, and classic Cameron chaos as the Blue Devils defend their court. 9. Duke at Virginia Tech (January 31 – Blacksburg, VA) Cassell Coliseum — possibly a Saturday night game — that’s ACC basketball at its best. Duke has had some electric games here, wins and losses, in what will surely be a rowdy environment. Expect a tough, gritty battle as the Hokie fans bring the noise and the Blue Devils bring their intensity on the road. 10. Duke at North Carolina (February 7 – Dean Dome, Chapel Hill, NC) No explanation needed. Duke-UNC, the biggest rivalry in all of sports just 8 miles down Tobacco Road, is always one of the season’s marquee matchups at the Dean Dome. From Austin Rivers’ unforgettable buzzer-beater to classic overtime thrillers, this venue has hosted some of the wildest moments in college basketball — and you can bet this one will bring more. 11. Duke vs. Michigan (February 21 – Washington, D.C.) A standout non-conference clash right in the heart of ACC play. With Duke taking on a talented Michigan squad in front of a packed Capital One Arena, expect high-level intensity, fast-paced action, and a true neutral-site showdown that could steal the spotlight from the regular conference grind. 12. Duke vs. North Carolina (March 7 – Cameron Indoor Stadium) The regular-season finale back at Cameron against UNC — Senior Day, rivalry, and all the pageantry you can imagine. Expect pure madness, with the Cameron Crazies on full display and ESPN College GameDay likely in attendance to capture every electric moment. Final Thoughts From a loaded November to rivalry weekend in March, this Duke schedule has everything you could ask for: neutral-site blockbusters, ACC road wars, and possibly multiple top-10 matchups. In fact, Duke will play 12 of its 31 games against teams who made the 2025 NCAA Tournament—including Louisville (twice), North Carolina (twice), Michigan, Michigan State, Florida, Texas Tech, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, and Clemson. Whether you’re watching in Cameron, on the road, or on TV, this season promises to deliver nonstop storylines. One thing’s for sure: if these 12 games are any indication, the 2025–26 season will be a ride for Duke fans.   It’s a marquee ACC showdown this Saturday as Duke welcomes undefeated No. 12 Georgia Tech to Wallace Wade Stadium for a high-stakes noon kickoff on ESPN. With both teams unbeaten in conference play, this matchup carries serious ACC Championship implications. Quick Thoughts Georgia Tech rolls in at 6–0 after a 35–20 win over Virginia Tech, looking every bit like a playoff dark horse. The Yellow Jackets have proven resilient—surviving an overtime battle at Wake Forest and winning on a 55-yard walk-off field goal against Clemson. They’ve shown they can weather storms, home or away. Duke, meanwhile, sits at 4–2 (3–0 ACC), coming off a bye week and a dominant 45–21 “ACC After Dark” victory over Cal. The Blue Devils’ offense is red-hot, posting 45, 38, and 45 points in their last three games. With extra rest and home-field advantage, Duke is poised to take its biggest swing of the season. This isn’t just another game—it’s a gut check. Duke has looked explosive, but Georgia Tech is the best team they’ve faced yet. A win keeps the path to Charlotte wide open. A loss makes the road far more complicated. Why It Matters The ACC is suddenly loaded with contenders—five teams still undefeated in league play. Every Saturday feels like reshuffling the deck. And in a league this crowded, one result can change everything. This game also features a must-see quarterback showdown: Haynes King vs. Darian Mensah. Both are having standout seasons and can take over a game. Get your popcorn ready. Final Prediction
FanDuel has Duke as a slight 1.5-point favorite with a total of 60.5, signaling expectations of a high-scoring battle. Duke’s advantages? Extra rest, strong turnover margin, and home-field edge. If the Blue Devils can contain Haynes King just enough and finish drives in the red zone, they’ll have every opportunity to close this one out. Expect a physical, down-to-the-wire fight—but I’m taking Duke to protect their house and stay perfect in ACC play. Duke 31 Georgia Tech 24  It’s not every year that the favorites make the Final Four… oh wait, last year all four No. 1 seeds did (still wild to say). For the record, that’s only happened twice in NCAA Tournament history—2008 and 2025. That’s exactly why simply rolling with the preseason betting favorites--
Purdue (+900), Houston (+1000), Duke (+1100), and UConn (+1400)-- feels a little too safe… and honestly, a little boring. With that in mind, here are my Duke Report preseason Final Four picks. I didn’t just follow the top of the odds board. I picked four teams that genuinely have the right mix of coaching, momentum, talent—and yeah, maybe a sprinkle of March Madness luck—to make a real run. My Preseason Final Four Picks 🟥 St. John’s (+1900) Rick Pitino is quietly (or not so quietly) building something serious in Queens. Year three with his system, roster upgrades, and that Pitino-in-March energy? Don’t be surprised if the Red Storm are still standing in April. 〽️ Michigan (+1900) They hit the Sweet 16 last year, and that felt like the beginning, not the end. Returning pieces and rising confidence give Michigan the DNA of a team ready to level up. 🔴 Texas Tech (+2000) An Elite Eight run last season shows what this team is capable of. Physical, disciplined, and defensively sound—everything that thrives in March. If their offense clicks, watch out. 🔵 Duke (+1100) Call it bias—I call it belief. Duke has all the pieces not only to get back to the Final Four but to take a real swing at banner No. 6. Why St. John’s Can Do It At 73, it just feels like Rick Pitino is going for it all with nothing to lose. St. John’s is finally built for a deep March run, and you can feel it. Pitino’s got this team defending, rebounding, and now adding real scoring firepower with big-time transfers like Ian Jackson and Bryce Hopkins. Coming off a Big East title and playing with swagger, the Red Storm have the momentum, toughness, and coach to crash the 2026 Final Four party. Why Michigan Can Do It Michigan is quietly building a Final Four-ready roster, led by superstar transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, who brings elite scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility. With Elliot Cadeau running point and a revamped frontcourt featuring Aday Mara and Morez Johnson, the Wolverines have the size, athleticism, and depth to battle anyone in March. After a Sweet Sixteen run and a Big Ten title under Dusty May, this team isn’t rebuilding—it’s reloading for a shot at cutting down the nets in Indianapolis. Why Texas Tech Can Do It Texas Tech is primed for a deep March run in 2026, led by All-American forward JT Toppin, who averaged 18.2 points and 9.4 rebounds last season and opted to return for his junior year. With sharpshooter Donovan Atwell joining the squad, the Red Raiders now have the scoring firepower to complement their trademark defense. Under head coach Grant McCasland, Texas Tech has the coaching skill and roster depth to make a serious Final Four push. Why Duke Can Do It With Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster returning, plus the arrival of the Boozer twins and international standout Dame Sarr, this roster has star power and depth. Sarr has already impressed in practices and at Countdown—he’s the real deal. And speaking of tests, Duke’s monster schedule—already detailed here at Blue Devils Blog—has them facing two other of my Final Four picks on neutral courts:
Battle-tested won’t be a question. Duke will know exactly where it stands long before March. And let’s not forget the destiny-like vibes: the 2026 Final Four is in Indianapolis, a city Duke fans know well. Three of Duke’s five national titles came in Indy: 🏆 1991 🏆 2010 🏆 2015 History, talent, motivation—if the pieces click, Duke absolutely has another Final Four run in them. Final Thought These picks are for fun—if I truly knew the Final Four ahead of time, I’d be in Vegas or Cherokee right now filling out slips. …But let’s just say I might already have Duke on one anyway. 😉  We’re back with Week 7 bowl projections from Brian Kennedy of Duke Football Talk and myself, Freddie Hodges of Duke Report. Freddie Hodges – Duke Report Blue Devils Rolling Into the Bye Duke is riding serious momentum after back-to-back ACC road wins — capped by a furious comeback at Cal. Down 21–7 early, the Blue Devils locked in and never looked back, scoring 38 unanswered points to win 45–21 in a true ACC After Dark statement. I honestly thought this had “trap game” written all over it, but Duke responded with poise, balance, and a dominant finish on both sides of the ball. Now, the bye week couldn’t come at a better time — rest, recovery, and preparation for what's easily the biggest game of the season so far. Circle It: October 18th vs. #13 Georgia Tech After the bye, an undefeated #13 Georgia Tech (pending their matchup with Virginia Tech this week) comes to Wallace Wade for a high-stakes Noon kickoff. This isn’t just another ACC game — it’s a defining moment, a chance to take a major step toward the ACC Championship conversation. Key for Duke: avoid the early holes they've dug in recent weeks. Against a team like GT, you need 60 minutes of your best football. No slow starts. No chasing. Bring the A-game from snap one. Yes… the outcome of this game will absolutely impact these bowl projections. Around the ACC It was a wild weekend around the league:
My Bowl Projection I said last week: if Duke beat Cal, I'd finally change my bowl pick for the first time this season. With Duke now 4–2 and 3–0 in ACC play after a statement win out West… 👉 I’m projecting Duke to the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Warm weather. Great matchup potential. And honestly, a bowl every Duke fan (myself included) would be fired up for. But here’s the catch: To stay on the Pop-Tarts path, Duke has to keep winning. A loss to Georgia Tech in two weeks, and you're probably seeing me slide this projection back up North. How far? We’ll find out. Also — yes — Notre Dame needs to do its part and crash the CFP. Their grip on the ACC bowl structure? That rant is for another day. Rest. Refocus. Statement Time. So enjoy the bye, Duke. Heal up, lock in, and go make a statement against Georgia Tech at home.  Brian Kennedy - Duke Football Talk Duke fans, we have unofficially reached the halfway point of the season, and it has been quite a first few games. After starting 1-2 some (yes, myself included) were wondering if this was going to be a down year for the Blue Devils. But alas, the team and Manny Diaz have shown that the start to the season was merely a bump in the road, as they have won 3 straight since the Tulane loss. Last week's win in Berkeley felt like a game played from season past. Duke would get behind early, many people thought they were done, and then out of no where, Duke comes back in convincing fashion and wins the game. With last week's win, Duke also stays atop of the ACC standings with Virginia, and the BYE week before Georgia Tech is exactly what the doctor ordered. If Duke wins against the Yellow Jackets, they will be 4-0 in ACC play, and be in a good position heading into the end of October with their matchup in Death Valley against Clemson. Just throwing this out there Duke fans, if Duke can find a way to get wins in their next 2 games, they will have their best start in ACC play since 1994. Ok, no more talk about that because I don't want to bring on a Jamie jinx. Looking at bowl games and teams, this could be a hard year to pinpoint the Devils. I know I have mainly had them in Orlando for the Pop Tarts Bowl and Charlotte for the Duke's Mayo Bowl, but with the way things could fall in place, I have Duke moving yet again. Last year, Duke fans sweated out the bowl announcements as many were projecting Duke to go west to the Holiday Bowl. As much as it pains me to say this, I believe that the Holiday Bowl will want Duke after the good showing the fans made in Berkeley. So for this week (And I hope this doesn't come true) I have Duke heading to the Holiday Bowl.  We will be taking off next week due to Duke having a bye week.. but stay tuned — Brian and I will be updating projections right here at Blue Devils Blog after the Georgia Tech game. See you at Wallace Wade.   Quick Thoughts It’s ACC After Dark this Saturday as Duke heads out west for a late-night showdown at California Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is 10:30 PM ET, so get your coffee ready. The Golden Bears are 4–1, riding a strong start with their only loss coming in a blowout to San Diego State. The Blue Devils are 3–2 overall and 2–0 in the ACC, coming off a statement-making 38–3 win at Syracuse. That kind of performance gave Duke the spark it needed—but can they replicate it in a tough, cross-country road environment? This game is a true test: a long trip, a quality opponent, and a chance to keep momentum rolling. For Cal, beating Duke at home would be the kind of statement win that could define their season. Why This Game Matters This isn’t just another ACC game. It’s a clash with real weight. Duke wants to prove it can continue to carry momentum on the road, while Cal is looking to show it’s building something in year two of ACC play. Duke’s offense has been electric, averaging nearly 35 points per game, but their defense will need to step up against Cal’s balanced attack. The Golden Bears are led by freshman QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who’s already thrown for 1,200+ yards and 8 touchdowns in just five games. His poise and big-play ability make him one of the most exciting young QBs in the country. On the other side, Duke’s Darian Mensah is putting together a breakout season of his own with 1,573 yards and 13 touchdowns. With both offenses capable of lighting up the scoreboard, this one could be a shootout. For Duke, this feels like a season-defining moment. A cross-country ACC win under the lights would be huge. A loss? Well… it would raise questions about whether the Devils can hang at the top of the ACC standings. Final Prediction Oddsmakers have this one tight, with Duke as a slight road favorite and the total in the mid-50s—pointing to a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair. The key for Duke will be limiting Cal’s rushing game and putting pressure on Sagapolutele in passing situations. But Duke’s playmakers have shown they can flip momentum in a heartbeat, and that could be the difference in the fourth quarter. It won’t be easy, but I think Duke handles business on the West Coast and comes out with a solid win. Duke 38 California 21 |
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