College football fans probably didn’t expect anyone to look forward to this year’s game between the Duke Blue Devils and Illinois Fighting Illini, but they probably didn’t expect the two schools to combine for 19 wins in 2024 either.
On3 reporter Pete Nakos released his list of this upcoming season’s top 10 non-conference games on Saturday, and Illinois’ trip to Wallace Wade Stadium at the start of September took the final spot at No. 10.
The Blue Devils won nine games and reached the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in their first season under head coach Manny Diaz. Duke put together a 20-point comeback against the North Carolina Tar Heels and beat the Wake Forest Demon Deacons with a walk-off touchdown on the last play of the regular season, capping off the program’s first sweep of its three in-state conference rivals since 2013.
The Duke offense will look noticeably different in 2025. The Blue Devils lost their starting quarterback and running back to the transfer portal, and the team’s two leading wideouts both left for the NFL draft. But Diaz countered the departures with some impressive portal additions, welcoming Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah as the crown jewel of a transfer class that includes Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Andrel Anthony, Harvard Crimson wideout Cooper Barkate, and Utah Utes tight end Landen King.
Diaz and his staff also retained cornerback Chandler Rivers, a Third Team All-American in 2024, and added Sam Houston State defensive back Caleb Weaver to the secondary.
Illinois did the Blue Devils one better, however, winning 10 games after a victory over South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Quarterback Luke Altmyer (2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns) returned for one last ride in 2025, bringing with him expectations for College Football Playoff contention, but Duke has only lost in Durham twice since 2022.
The Blue Devils host the Illini in Durham on September 6 for the second game of the season.
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