2026 Duke Football Season Preview: Blue Devils Outside Preseason Top 25 but Ready to Compete in ACC
The Duke football team, the reigning ACC champions, did not make it into the preseason Top 25 in the 2026 season. The preseason US LBM College Football Coaches Poll, released on August 4, placed Duke outside the Top 25 with six points. The top spot in the poll was claimed by Ohio State, followed by Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Notre Dame. Miami, SMU, and Clemson were the three ACC teams that made it into the poll, with Duke scheduled to face Miami and Clemson during the regular season.
Duke had a successful 2025 season, finishing with a 9-5 record and winning their first ACC title since 1989. Despite losing 17 starters from the previous season, the Blue Devils are bringing back 10 starters as they head into the 2026 season under the leadership of head coach Manny Diaz. The team will face tough competition in Miami and Clemson during the regular season.
The full Preseason US LBM College Football Coaches Poll saw several teams dropping out of the Top 25, including Vanderbilt, Virginia, Tulane, James Madison, Navy, Georgia Tech, and Illinois. Other teams receiving votes in the poll included Louisville, Florida, TCU, Arizona, South Carolina, and more. Duke received six votes in the poll, indicating that they are on the radar of college football coaches.
In conclusion, Duke football did not make it into the preseason Top 25 in the 2026 season but received six points in the preseason US LBM College Football Coaches Poll. The team is looking to build on their success from the previous season and face tough competition in the ACC.