From a controversial eight-lateral loss to a devastating transfer portal heist, the Hurricanes continue to haunt Durham, stripping the Duke Blue Devils of momentum and elite offensive talent.
The Duke Blue Devils should be getting ready to defend their ACC championship, which might have been one year premature, and compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff this fall.
The Blue Devils' four-game winning streak at the end of last season will be talked about for a long time in Durham. However, Darian Mensah's decision to transfer to Miami with wide receiver Cooper Barkate set the team back.
It's not the first time the Hurricanes have stilted Duke's progress. ESPN named Miami as the archenemy for the Blue Devils, noting that a botched call hurt the team's run in 2015.
"Duke's football track record is checkered enough that few opponents have been able to engender real hatred," wrote David Hale. "Except Miami.
"Start with the 2015 game that ended with Miami employing eight laterals to score a go-ahead touchdown to upend No. 22 Duke, which was 6-1 entering the game. That the officials completely flubbed the call in a game Duke should have won is beside the point."
Duke has rebounded since, with Mike Elko resurrecting the program before leaving for Texas A&M. Manny Diaz has proven to be a strong successor, but his former team is proving to be a thorn in his side.
"The rivalry exploded in the past year, however," Hale wrote. "Duke's coach, Manny Diaz, was summarily dismissed as Miami's coach after the 2022 season, lighting a fire. Then Miami swooped in to lure QB Darian Mensah into the transfer portal on the final day it was open in January, a huge blow to Duke's 2026 hopes.
"Add in that Miami's playoff run overshadowed Duke's 2025 ACC championship, and the Canes have been the most routine contributor to the 'Duke can't have nice things' motto."
Duke isn't expected to compete for the ACC this season after Mensah's transfer. The Blue Devils will be fortunate to make a bowl game, though the team has young pieces that could help for a future run in the conference if Diaz can add elite talent in the transfer portal this offseason.
Regardless, expect Diaz to have his team be a pest with Duke traveling to play Miami on Nov. 14. Maybe they can return the spoil.
