Duke football is days away from kicking off its 2025 season when it plays host to Elon at Wallace Wade Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Duke is coming off a 9-4 season in its first year under Manny Diaz with a trip to the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The Blue Devils return 14 starters from its 2024 squad while signing 28 newcomers from its 2025 signing class and welcoming nine transfers.

Duke won't enter the 2025 season ranked in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll or in the preseason AP poll, but it did receive votes in each. In conference play, the Blue Devils are slated to finish sixth in the ACC per the 2025 ACC Preseason Poll .

Ahead of the 2025 season, here are the Fayetteville Observer's five bold predictions for Duke football:

Duke football will lead the ACC in sacks

Duke’s pass rush was

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