DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — In his first year as Duke’s head football coach, Manny Diaz led the team to a nine-win season, giving the Blue Devils the best record among the three Atlantic Coast Conference teams in the Triangle.
With that level of success comes higher expectations. In this episode of the college football kickoff show, CBS 17’s sports department discusses whether those expectations are justified.
One big unknown going into this season is how Duke’s offense will look and operate with Tulane transfer Darian Mensah as the new starting quarterback. On the defensive side of the ball, how big of a year will star cornerback Chandler Rivers have?
The Blue Devils open the season at home on Aug. 28 against Elon, but will have a big test in Week 2 when AP Preseason No. 12 team Illinois comes to Wallace Wade Stadium. A strong showing in that matchup could set the tone for the weeks immediately following, which will feature games at Mensah’s former team of Tulane as well as a game at home against NC State.
CBS 17 Sports takes a deeper look into these storylines in the college football kickoff show, which can be viewed in its entirety above or on CBS17+.