After falling 17-16 at home Saturday to Virginia Tech due to several uncharacteristic mistakes, the Blue Devils fell six spots but stayed in the No. 25 spot in this week's AP Poll.
Duke was ranked 19th in the poll last week, the team's highest ranking since 1994, before being handed its second loss by the Hokies. The Blue Devils have now been ranked for four consecutive weeks for the first time since 1955.
The Blue Devils will need to win their final two games of the season, home tilts against rival North Carolina Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 29 against Wake Forest at Wallace Wade Stadium, to return to the ACC title game Dec. 6 against Florida State.
The Seminoles ensured that Duke is still in control of its own destiny by knocking off Miami 30-26 Saturday night, once again using an exciting comeback to stay unbeaten. Florida State regained the top spot in the poll this week with its latest triumph and Mississippi State's loss to Alabama.
The Hurricanes, who beat the Blue Devils 22-10 Sept. 27, were unable to hang on to their early 23-7 lead at home and pull the upset.
If Duke loses one if its final two games, No. 17 Georgia Tech will win the division. The Yellow Jackets concluded conference play with a 6-2 record after knocking off Clemson 28-6 Saturday.
The Blue Devils were also able to hold on to the No. 25 spot in the USA Today Coaches Poll despite Saturday's loss.
Check back with the Blue Zone throughout the week for more analysis of this week's AP Poll, all of the action Around the ACC and of the Blue Devils' next contest against North Carolina.
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