Coach Manny Diaz kicks off his tenure with Duke football with a set schedule for 2024. This schedule unveiling, showcased on a special ACC Network program, introduces a new format due to the inclusion of SMU, California, and Stanford in the conference lineup. While the team comes off a victorious Birmingham Bowl in 2023, fans can anticipate significant changes under Diaz’s leadership compared to former coach Mike Elko’s era, especially with notable departures from the team. Duke aims to maintain the positive momentum established by the previous regime.
The season begins on Friday, August 30, with a faceoff against in-state rival Elon, renewing a matchup last seen in 2014, where Duke emerged victorious with a score of 52-13. Subsequently, Diaz’s team travels to Evanston, Illinois, for a fourth consecutive showdown against Northwestern, followed by a home game against UConn and another away game against Middle Tennessee to wrap up the nonconference segment.
In conference play, Duke will compete against North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Florida State, SMU, Miami, N.C. State, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest, with a notable matchup against Florida State set for Friday, October 18. Certain matchups, such as those against the Tar Heels, Wolfpack, and Demon Deacons, are part of protected matchups within the new scheduling model, ensuring their recurrence each season. Additionally, the model mandates that teams face each other at least once every four years, hinting at future matchups with the new West Coast additions.
