Before every season, The Chronicle's football beats share our predictions for how the Blue Devils will fare. With a new head coach, a challenging ACC schedule and plenty of roster turnover, the 2024 season could have plenty of ups and downs. We share our record predictions, offensive and defensive MVPs and more:
What will Duke’s record be?
Dom Fenoglio: 7-5
I see Duke’s season as somewhat of a rollercoaster. The non-conference slate is largely favorable, and while Northwestern cannot be overlooked, I think the Blue Devils are more talented on paper than the first four teams they play. Furthermore, I’m predicting a win over North Carolina to open ACC play. The Tar Heels have yet to name a starting quarterback, and their defense remains questionable.
That puts Duke at 5-0 in my predictions to start the season — a dream start for head coach Manny Diaz. From there, however, the competition jumps. Georgia Tech, Florida State, SMU, Miami, N.C. State and Virginia Tech all rank above Duke in the ACC preseason poll, and while I think each game will be competitive, I have a hard time finding more than one win over that stretch. A win down the road against Wake Forest rounds out the Blue Devils’ seventh win under Diaz’s first season at the helm and ensures that they head to their third-straight bowl game.
Ranjan Jindal: 7-5
I have Duke having another strong season and a positive start to the Manny Diaz era. There are a lot of unknowns about the Northwestern game — and the unorthodox environment in an early season game could trip up Duke. That said, I also think the Blue Devils could start 5-0, and go to Atlanta likely ranked in the AP poll.
My biggest question for the Blue Devils is how they compete in tough home conference matchups against SMU, Florida State and Virginia Tech. I could see Duke coming out on top of one or two of these — especially against the Mustangs — if it plays its A-game, which could transform the trajectory of the season. The road matchups against Miami and N.C. State are difficult, and I am very high on the Hurricanes this year. Wake Forest on the road to end the season is not a cakewalk, but if Duke beats who it should beat, a better record is not out of the question.
Tyler Walley: 6-6
I believe Duke will finish its season at .500, still a good record for a first-year head coach and a first-time starting quarterback. The Blue Devils are pitted against four non-conference opponents to start their season, and while I don’t see Northwestern as a pushover, I have Duke beginning its season 4-0 for the second-straight year.
Then, the going gets tough. Although North Carolina has questions at the quarterback position, I think running back Omarion Hampton’s dominance and a revamped defense grants the Tar Heels their sixth-straight victory over the Blue Devils. The next six games are all against high-caliber ACC opponents, and unfortunately for Duke, I only see one victory in that stretch, that being an upset over new-to-the-conference SMU. In the last week of the season, Duke clinches bowl eligibility with a win over Wake Forest.
Who will be Duke’s offensive MVP?
Jordan Moore: The quarterback-turned-wideout is the clear-cut top receiver this year for the Blue Devils. Down the stretch last season, Moore was crucial in helping then-freshman quarterback Grayson Loftis build confidence. The graduate student now has the benefit of spending an entire offseason working with new quarterback Maalik Murphy, not to mention the additional targets that should come playing in offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer’s new tempo offense.
Moore’s intelligent route running and steady hands will be a staple of Duke’s attack, and his strength and experience will only grow in year three of playing wideout. Watch for a potential All-ACC level season from Moore, who projects as one of the top talents on this year’s roster. - Dom Fenoglio
Maalik Murphy: Murphy has the talent to be one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC this year. Whether or not the former Longhorn realizes his potential will probably come down to the play of a rebuilt, transfer-heavy offensive line and a receiving core reliant on veteran wide receiver Jordan Moore. Even if the Blue Devils struggle against the best teams in the conference throughout this season, I still think Murphy will be the best player on Duke’s offense and excel in Brewer’s pass-happy offensive scheme. Murphy’s arm talent is beyond that of any Blue Devil quarterback in recent years, so expect numerous jaw-dropping passes and highlight-worthy touchdowns from the Inglewood, Calif., native. - Rodrigo Amare
Who will be Duke’s defensive MVP?
Chandler Rivers The last MVP to be named for the Blue Devils came at the Birmingham Bowl, where the cornerback earned the honor after a shutdown performance. I expect that trend to continue this year, as the returning starter has another year of experience under his belt and should be in for a big junior year. He will likely be tasked with guarding every team’s best receiver, but I think the Beaumont, Texas., native is more than capable. -Caleb Dudley
Tre Freeman: I think 2024 will be the year of Tre Freeman. He is a preseason All-ACC selection at linebacker and still has plenty of room to grow. Freeman has impressive game smarts, along with being an excellent tackler and strong run-stopper. With a new defense that hinges more on those big plays behind the line of scrimmage, look for him to shine. -Heintzelman
What will Duke’s best win be?
Georgia Tech: After an eventful Week 0, Georgia Tech has emerged as a team to watch in the ACC, knocking off presumptive favorite Florida State in Dublin to kick off the season. As a result, Duke’s Oct. 5 matchup with the Yellow Jackets looms much larger. However, I think the Blue Devils will come in with an impressive record of 5-0 and add one more to that tally when they head to Atlanta, taking down Georgia Tech and becoming bowl eligible. -Dudley
Miami: The Blue Devils have a lot to prove this season, and Miami looms large on their schedule. A win against the Hurricanes would be challenging, but not impossible — especially since Miami has yet to prove that it can maintain its power for a full season. Diaz also goes into this game with something to prove. He led the Hurricanes back to national prominence seven years ago before current head coach Mario Cristobal tossed him aside in a sputtering third season, so you can bet this game is already circled on his calendar. When the Blue Devils take on Miami after a string of likely losses, I think they’ll be hungry enough to throw down an upset reminiscent of last year’s season opener against Clemson. -DiSalvo
What will Duke’s worst loss be?
Miami: While Duke convincingly defeated Miami two years ago at Hard Rock Stadium, these Hurricanes — and Blue Devils — are completely different teams now. Miami sports one of the most talented rosters in the ACC, with quarterback Cameron Ward a solid Heisman candidate and star edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. bolstering the defense. When adding the fact that this contest represents the most difficult in a brutal in-conference stretch for the Blue Devils, it’s tough to see Diaz earning a revenge win against his former squad. -Walley
N.C. State: There will be fewer road environments more hostile to Duke than Carter-Finley Stadium come November. N.C. State is a good team with something to prove after losing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl last year, and the Blue Devils will be high on the Wolfpack’s hit list. With the energy at a high level and a relatively inexperienced Duke team coming into Raleigh, this one has the makings of a discouraging defeat. -Heintzelman
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Dom Fenoglio is a Trinity junior and a sports managing editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Ranjan Jindal is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Rodrigo Amare is a Trinity sophomore and assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Martin Heintzelman is a Trinity junior and Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Abby DiSalvo is a Trinity sophomore and assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.