Duke Football 2024

A couple of bye week notes:

- Maalik Murphy needs just 2 TD passes in the next 3 games to tie the school record of 24 in a season. He is averaging a little better than 2 TD passes per game.

- Maalik needs to average 211 ypg over the next 3 to hit 3,000 yards. He is averaging 237 ypg. Only 5 Duke QBs have every accomplished this feat(Ben Bennett and Sean Renfree each did it twice), and none since 2012.

- It's unlikely, but still possible for a Duke WR to hit the elusive 10 TD mark that hasn't been done since Clarkston Hines. Eli Pancol and Jordan Moore each have 6.

- Star Thomas would need to average 86 ypg to break 1,000 yards. He currently averages 74 ypg. 5 Blue Devils have run for 1,000 yards, most recently Mateo Durant in 2021.

- Duke's defense is #2 in the country in TFL (85) and 13th in sacks (28).

- Duke's defense is #2 in forced fumbles (17) and #1 in fumbles recovered (12).

- Duke's defense is #2 in forced turnovers (23).

- Duke has managed to go 7-3 despite being 124th in rushing yards per game (99.6) and 124th in yards per carry (3.21). Interestingly, while the OL has struggled to run block all year, they're much better at pass protection. Duke is #21 in sacks allowed (11).

My takeaways:

- It's pretty clear that Manny's defensive philosophy is working. We're creating all kinds of havoc on defense. That said, we're probably a little fortunate in the turnover department, and we shouldn't assume those turnover numbers will continue going forward. I do think we can expect to be above average in creating turnovers if we are continuing to put pressure on teams like we have.

- The OL was my worry since spring ball and it's been a struggle. I think you have to give credit to the staff for figuring things out over the last few weeks. We've managed a solid passing game with few sacks allowed despite having little running game and a QB that isn't good at avoiding the rush. Also, major credit to the WR corps for stepping up when we have really needed them.
 
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A couple of bye week notes:

- Maalik Murphy needs just 2 TD passes in the next 3 games to tie the school record of 24 in a season. He is averaging a little better than 2 TD passes per game.

- Maalik needs to average 211 ypg over the next 3 to hit 3,000 yards. He is averaging 237 ypg. Only 5 Duke QBs have every accomplished this feat(Ben Bennett and Sean Renfree each did it twice), and none since 2012.

- It's unlikely, but still possible for a Duke WR to hit the elusive 10 TD mark that hasn't been done since Clarkston Hines. Eli Pancol and Jordan Moore each have 6.

- Star Thomas would need to average 86 ypg to break 1,000 yards. He currently averages 74 ypg. 5 Blue Devils have run for 1,000 yards, most recently Mateo Durant in 2021.

- Duke's defense is #2 in the country in TFL (85) and 13th in sacks (28).

- Duke's defense is #2 in forced fumbles (17) and #1 in fumbles recovered (12).

- Duke's defense is #2 in forced turnovers (23).

- Duke has managed to go 7-3 despite being 124th in rushing yards per game (99.6) and 124th in yards per carry (3.21). Interestingly, while the OL has struggled to run block all year, they're much better at pass protection. Duke is #21 in sacks allowed (11).

My takeaways:

- It's pretty clear that Manny's defensive philosophy is working. We're creating all kinds of havoc on defense. That said, we're probably a little fortunate in the turnover department, and we shouldn't assume those turnover numbers will continue going forward. I do think we can expect to be above average in creating turnovers if we are continuing to put pressure on teams like we have.

- The OL was my worry since spring ball and it's been a struggle. I think you have to give credit to the staff for figuring things out over the last few weeks. We've managed a solid passing game with few sacks allowed despite having little running game and a QB that isn't good at avoiding the rush. Also, major credit to the WR corps for stepping up when we have really needed them.
Great list, thanks for putting it together. Aside from Ozzie, not many of us were predicting the kind of success we've had so far this season. And while we complain about Murphy's running game and some other issues such as play calling, it's hard overall to not be happy.
We complain because we care and because Manny has put together a team worth caring about!
 
I am thrilled with what Manny has done in light of the outgoing transfers and his lack of a full recruiting season. He really hit on less highly touted incoming transfers. We will lose some big names next year but I am excited to see what he can do with a full recruiting cycle. His overall success and domination of the triangle combined with the aggressive style of play should help in recruiting. When does that heat up? After the bowl season?
 
I am thrilled with what Manny has done in light of the outgoing transfers and his lack of a full recruiting season. He really hit on less highly touted incoming transfers. We will lose some big names next year but I am excited to see what he can do with a full recruiting cycle. His overall success and domination of the triangle combined with the aggressive style of play should help in recruiting. When does that heat up? After the bowl season?
Next year’s class is largely set but there will be defections and poaching in both directions and the portal is where the big and crazy action will be. There is now no off season for recruiting/ portalizing Gotta keep our current guys happy, too
 
I am thrilled with what Manny has done in light of the outgoing transfers and his lack of a full recruiting season. He really hit on less highly touted incoming transfers. We will lose some big names next year but I am excited to see what he can do with a full recruiting cycle. His overall success and domination of the triangle combined with the aggressive style of play should help in recruiting. When does that heat up? After the bowl season?
Here is a link showing our 2025 commitments. We are ranked #30 in the nation.
 
ESPN has put Duke "in the rankings" for the CFP preview Committee Anger poll. I'm not sure I agree as Duke had it's chance against SMU, but it's better pub than we often got from the ESPN staff rankings.
We have hung with every team and led in the fourth in all our losses. I’d argue we should be ranked ahead of a 2-loss Tulane at #25 that’s losses to KSU and OU have aged worse each week (particularly given our losses have looked better each week; GTech has proven it’s no fluke and was on the road, Miami is still highly ranked and was on the road, and SMU is highly ranked and was a 2-pt try from winning in OT)
 
Week 13 rankings: Duke Football has 2 votes in the AP poll and 9 votes in the Coaches Poll.

College Poll Tracker, which breaks down the AP, says that both votes came from Dave Preston, who ranked Duke 24th. Preston works for WTOP radio in Washington, DC. Syracuse grad, but he didn't rank Syracuse (which has 21 votes). He likes Boise State (5th) more than the other AP voters (12th):

 
Per Devils Illustrated on twitter: Manny says Jaquez Moore is planning on redshirting and returning next year. He can still play one more game this year and still be within the 4 game threshold, and will likely play in one of the next two games.
This is great. But... is there a chance at all that he "returns" to football but with another team??? Perish the thought????
 
Per Devils Illustrated on twitter: Manny says Jaquez Moore is planning on redshirting and returning next year. He can still play one more game this year and still be within the 4 game threshold, and will likely play in one of the next two games.
Thanks for the update, always nice to hear one of our better players is coming back instead of seeking greener pastures.
 
Wow, that is great news! With Star Thomas leaving, our running back room is going to be rather empty.

Hopefully this will be the beginning of a trend, although I recognize there won't be a lot of 5th year guys around.
 
Per Devils Illustrated on twitter: Manny says Jaquez Moore is planning on redshirting and returning next year. He can still play one more game this year and still be within the 4 game threshold, and will likely play in one of the next two games.
Does a bowl game count towards the 4-game threshold?
 
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