Poll: Which Duke Football Road Game Are You Most Excited About?

We may be in the dog days of summer, but college football is right around the corner. Duke Football kicks off the 2025 season at home against Elon on Thursday, August 28th — a primetime opener in Wallace Wade Stadium to launch Labor Day weekend.

Looking ahead, Duke faces six intriguing road games this season — each with its own storyline and challenge:

• 🟢 @ Tulane – 9/13
• 🟠 @ Syracuse – 9/27
• 🔵 @ Cal – 10/4
• 🐅 @ Clemson – 11/1
• 🐾 @ UConn – 11/8
• 🔔 @ UNC – 11/22

Quick Breakdown of the Road Slate:

@ Tulane (Sept. 13)

This matchup gets a boost of drama as former Tulane QB Darian Mensah now suits up for Duke. Tulane is coming off a strong 9–5 campaign, capped with a Gasparilla Bowl appearance against Florida.

@ Syracuse (Sept. 27)

Syracuse flew under the radar in 2024, finishing 10–3 and ending the year ranked #20 after a Holiday Bowl win over Washington State. The Carrier Dome won't be an easy stop.

@ Cal (Oct. 4)

A rare west coast ACC clash (still feels weird to say, right?). Cal went 6–7 in its first ACC season, ending with a loss to UNLV in the LA Bowl. A cross-country challenge for the Devils.

@ Clemson (Nov. 1)

Arguably the biggest road test. The last time Duke faced Clemson, (2023) they stunned the Tigers 28–7 in a primetime Labor Day opener. Last season Clemson earned a spot in the 12-team CFP, finishing 10–4 and ranked #14. As of now, they’re listed with +1400 odds (7th best) to win the national title in 2025, according to FanDuel.

@ UConn (Nov. 8)

Revenge will be on UConn’s mind. Duke handled them comfortably in 2023 (41–7) and edged them last year at home (26–21). But the Huskies had a solid 9–4 season, highlighted by a Fenway Bowl win over UNC.

@ UNC (Nov. 22)
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It’s always a show when the Victory Bell is up for grabs. Last year, Duke ended a six-year drought by reclaiming the Bell in Durham. This year’s showdown in Chapel Hill comes with added spice — Bill Belichick takes over as UNC’s new head coach. And if you’ve followed the offseason drama... let’s just say the "Chapel Hill Bill & Jordan" saga has gotten more coverage than UNC’s playbook.

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​Poll Time: Which Road Game Are Fans Most Excited About?

Originally, we tried running a poll on Twitter (or X, whatever we’re calling it now) — but the 4-option limit didn’t cut it. So, big shoutout to the guys at Duke Football Talk and their Facebook Group for letting us run the full poll there. The poll ran from Sunday, June 15 to Sunday, June 22, and we also counted responses from @DukeReport on Twitter.

​We asked fans:

“Which Duke Football road game(s) are you traveling to or looking forward to the most?”

Some fans may not hit the road but will still be locked in from home, and others are making multiple road trips (you know who you are, Hard Hat Guys 👷‍♂️).

And the Results Are In…

As expected, the top three finishers separated themselves clearly from the rest:

1. @ Clemson – It dominated the poll — and for good reason. A high-stakes showdown in Death Valley with potential ACC Championship and playoff implications? Count us in.

2. @ UNC – Not much of a road trip for many in Durham, but the rivalry speaks for itself. The Victory Bell is on the line. Enough said.

3. @ Tulane – A fall trip to New Orleans? Great football and even better food. This one has “mini vacation” written all over it.​


My Plans? Right now, I’m locked in for two away games.

✅ Clemson – I would’ve loved to make the Tulane trip, but it looks like the shareholders at Duke Report might only approve one major road expense outside the Triangle 😅. So, Death Valley it is. I’ve actually hiked in the real Death Valley (in California) in 100+ degree heat, and I’m fascinated by the connection to Howard’s Rock. I’m expecting an epic football atmosphere this November.
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✅ UNC – Always a must-watch. Having this game late in the season could mean the Bell is riding on more than just rivalry pride. High stakes, short drive, electric energy.

Thanks for reading and for voting in the poll! Stay tuned — we’re just a few weeks away from ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, and we’ll have full coverage right here on Duke Report and Blue Devils Blog.

​Let’s go Duke! 💪🔵