Duke Football Opens Friday With Elon

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MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 01: A general view of a Duke Blue Devils helmet during the National team practice for the Reese’s Senior Bowl on February 1, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. | Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As the Manny Diaz era gets under way

We haven’t talked about football yet but we’re excited about the debut of the Manny Diaz era.

Like most Duke fans probably, we were disappointed that Mike Elko took off for Texas A&M after he said how happy he was at Duke. Professionally it was a good move but he lied about staying at Duke and that took him from a wonderful coach to just another passing pirate ship.

So be it.

Diaz of course spent three years at Miami, his hometown school, and while his record wasn’t great, the Hurricanes went to three straight bowl games. His career there was 21-15 which Miami felt was unacceptable. It wouldn’t be great at Duke but it probably wouldn’t get him fired.

Pre-season trends are looking good. The players seem excited, Texas transfer Maalik Murphy is a promising QB and offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer appears to know what he’s doing. And Duke did well in the portal.

Friday’s opponent is Elon and while the Phoenix is a winning program, it is an FCS program in the Colonial Athletic Association. Winning at Wallace Wade would be a significant victory.

As for Duke, Elon is a good way to get an idea of how things are going in the Diaz era. A loss might not indicate catastrophe but it wouldn’t be good. A solid win would suggest continuity and progress.

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Duke Football Opens Friday With Elon

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