From Wallace Wade to Wherever: Duke's Bowl Watch - Week 4

We’re back with Week 4 bowl projections from yours truly, Freddie Hodges of Duke Report. Brian Kennedy of Duke Football Talk usually joins me for these updates, but this week he’s somewhere on a boat, soaking up tropical vibes. Don’t worry—he’ll be back with his picks for Week 5.

Freddie Hodges – Duke Report

Last weekend, I was on a quick trip to Charleston and didn’t get to watch Duke’s game live, but I kept up with the updates. Honestly, I’m kind of glad I didn’t watch—it seems Duke dug itself a hole early and never fully recovered.

This one stings for Duke fans. Let’s be real: Tulane had this game circled on their calendar once Darian Mensah left for Duke. Now, Duke finds itself with two consecutive losses, both to teams that could very well be College Football Playoff contenders. Sure, these are “quality” losses, but sitting at 1–2, Duke faces a hungry NC State squad this Saturday. Remember, NC State lost to Duke at home in Raleigh in 2024 and on the road at Duke in 2023, so the Wolfpack will be looking for revenge.

​This game is a must-win for Duke. The outcome could very well set the tone for the rest of the season.

Around the ACC, Georgia Tech pulled off a stunning upset over Clemson, proving they’re a team to watch. Miami silenced an upset-minded South Florida squad with a 49–12 blowout. And yes, California remains undefeated—a surprise no one could have predicted back in August. Meanwhile, Notre Dame, 0–2, somehow still sits at #24 in the AP Poll. Clever, AP—trying to keep ND in the playoff conversation without making it too obvious.

Back in August, I had penciled in a win for Duke over Tulane. At the time, I expected Duke to have only one loss by now. With two losses on the board, you might think my bowl projection would shift north of Charlotte—but nope. For the fourth consecutive week, I’m still projecting Duke to land in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. I see the NC State game as a pivotal moment for the program—a win here could set Duke back on the right path.
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Next up, Duke faces its in-state rival NC State with a 4:00 PM kickoff. It’s simple: this is a must-win for Duke if they want to regain momentum.

Stay tuned — Brian and I will be updating projections every week right here at Blue Devils Blog. See you at Wallace Wade.