Manny Diaz looks to defy the odds after an improbable ACC title. Despite key transfers, the Duke Blue Devils aim for a postseason miracle led by quarterback Walker Eget.
On Nov. 15, the Duke Blue Devils suffered a 34-17 loss at home to then-No. 19 Virginia.
The defeat knocked Duke to 5-5, and it appeared Manny Diaz would be in jeopardy of missing a bowl game in his second season with the program.
The Blue Devils went on to defeat Bill Belichick's North Carolina 32-25 the next week before finishing the regular season with a 49-32 win over Wake Forest. Thanks to some bizarre tiebreakers, a 7-5 Duke made the ACC championship.
In a rematch, the Blue Devils got the best of then-No. 17 Virginia in a 27-20 overtime classic. Despite winning the ACC Championship Game, the selection committee kept Duke out of the College Football Playoff.
After quarterback Darian Mensah and receiver Cooper Barkate transferred to Miami this offseason, Duke's hopes of returning to the ACC championship and making a CFP run took a hit.
However, Chris Staples of On3 named the Blue Devils a "dark horse" to make the CFP. He doesn't think Duke will make the CFP, but transfer quarterback Walker Eget will have a chance to lead a magical season in Durham.
In an earlier conversation with Staples this spring, Diaz gave his perspective about winning the ACC last year and losing Mensah. He's happy the quarterback won the conference title with Duke, but Diaz is focused on winning with his current roster.
“You know, my overriding emotion is gratitude,” Diaz said. “I really mean that. I am thankful that Darian Mensah came to Duke. I’m grateful that we were able to win the ACC together. We had a great relationship together.
"Your mindset from that very first day is ‘we’re not going to be a victim.’ We won the championship. That banner will hang in that stadium forever. Now, we find a new way to win again.”
Diaz is building his roster mainly through high school recruiting and developing those players. The Blue Devils were not built for a quick turnaround this season.
While Duke should be competitive, this team doesn't have the talent yet to make the CFP, though it could get there in the near future.
