Duke Blue Devils

Duke enters the season with a new starting quarterback, Walker Eget, who transferred from San Jose State after Darian Mensah's late portal departure to Miami. Eget completed 59% of his passes for 3,051 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions last year, a slight drop from Mensah's production. The offense still returns star running back Nate Sheppard, who rushed for 1,132 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman, and an offensive line that brings back two starters and adds Coastal Carolina transfer Nick Del Grande at left tackle. The unit's ability to maintain its ACC-best 34.6 points per game from last season hinges on Eget's chemistry with new top receiver Jared Richardson, a 1,000-yard FCS transfer, and the line's protection.

Despite winning the ACC, Duke's defense ranked 14th in scoring defense (29.4 ppg) and 15th in total defense (424.2 ypg) in the conference. Head coach Manny Diaz, known for his defensive expertise, must integrate several new starters. Key returnees include linebacker Nick Morris Jr., who is returning from a torn ACL, and Luke Mergott, who made big plays last season. The defensive line features David Anderson, Preston Watson, and Tyshod Reed in expanded roles. The secondary relies on transfers Dylan Flowers (WKU), Evan Smith (Northwestern), and Patrick Smith-Young (North Texas) to quickly mesh with returning corners Landon Callahan and DaShawn Stone. Improvement on this side of the ball is critical for Duke to repeat as champions.

Sophomore Cosme Salas takes over full placekicking duties after serving as the kickoff specialist last season. He has a strong leg but must prove his accuracy. Punter Kade Reynoldson is a reliable weapon, averaging 44.6 yards per attempt. Nate Sheppard could add explosiveness as a punt returner, and wide receiver Jayden Moore offers similar potential on kickoffs. However, the team's overall depth is a concern, as many new faces must step into starting roles on both sides of the ball. The preseason scouting report noted that the culture and belief are strong, but the loss of Mensah and the need for defensive cohesion make depth a vulnerability.

Duke's ACC championship last season was a milestone, but the team lost five regular-season games and reached the title game via tiebreakers. Repeating that success will be challenging with a new quarterback and a defense that must improve significantly. The offensive line's experience and Sheppard's running ability provide a solid foundation, but the passing game's consistency is uncertain. The defense's ability to generate pressure and cover effectively with new starters will determine whether Duke can contend for the conference crown again. The team's travel schedule is manageable, with no long road trips early, and the home-field advantage at Wallace Wade Stadium (HFA 2.9) could be a factor in close games.