A New Chapter for Duke Football
The Duke Blue Devils are preparing for a 2026 season that could rewrite the narrative around their program. Building on a 2025 campaign that saw them finish tied for second in the ACC and capture the conference championship in overtime, the team enters the new year with a modest preseason poll placement but a clear sense of purpose.
Coach Dan Mullen and his staff have emphasized continuity, leveraging the chemistry that produced a four‑game winning streak that included victories over North Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia and Arizona State. That momentum has set the tone for a schedule that blends home comforts with a demanding road slate.
Preseason Expectations vs. Reality
The preseason ACC poll placed Duke 10th out of 14 teams, projecting only five wins in twelve games. Yet the previous season’s surprise — predicted sixth place but finishing tied for second and winning the championship — has raised expectations that the poll may underestimate the squad’s potential.
The 2026 slate features home matchups against Tulane, Stanford, William & Mary, North Carolina, Boston College and Clemson, while road trips take the team to Illinois, Georgia Tech, Virginia, N.C. State, Miami and Wake Forest. Miami is highlighted as the toughest away opponent, and the only home game against a top‑tier rival is Clemson in Week 11.