DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 23: Star Thomas #17 of the Duke Blue Devils runs the ball after a catch against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the game at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Durham, North Carolina. The Blue Devils won 31-28 | Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
An ancient Big Four rivalry is one of Duke’s best
Date 11/30 || Time Noon || Venue Allegacy FCU Stadium || Video ACC Network
Manny Diaz is in rare territory: Fred Goldsmith started with an eight-win season. Mike Elko pulled off a nine-win season.
No one else has won eight in their first seasons. Herman Steiner won seven in his first season - 103 years ago. Wallace Wade and Eddie Cameron both won five in their first year. So did Bill Murray, Tom Harp and Steve Spurrier. Mike McGee won six.
Diaz has a chance to match Elko if Duke wins at Saturday and if he does that and Duke wins its bowl game, the Blue Devils could have a double-digit winning season for only the second time. David Cutcliffe first achieved that in 2013.
Wake has given Duke fits for years but Demon Deacon coach Dave Clawson is having a rough couple of years: last year the Deacs finished 4-8 and this year they’re 4-7 with one game left. Worse, Wake has lost three straight games.
Could they pull off the upset?
Well yeah. They could.
It might not be easy though.
Duke’s secondary makes passing risky, but Wake’s running game has been problematic too. They’ll have to find a way to put points on the board. Demond Claiborne is a good back but his success naturally depends on how well his line does.
As for Duke, Maalik Murphy now owns the Duke passing touchdown record. The Blue Devil offense has been erratic, true, but it’s been effective. The defense has generally made up the difference when the offense struggles.
Duke should be favored and will be, but given the history of this rivalry, and the occasionally electric nature of the games, and the cold air, we wouldn’t put too much stock in that. It’s likely to be a huge battle again.
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