There’s still a path for Duke to reach the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, but first the Blue Devils must successfully navigate Saturday’s regular-season finale against surging Wake Forest in Durham, N.C.
And Duke would still need some help to reach the ACC title game.
Duke (6-5, 5-2 ACC) must beat the Demon Deacons and receive favorable results from other games around the conference in order to play on the first Saturday in December.
“We didn’t even address it, didn’t even talk about it,” coach Manny Diaz said. “So many moons have to align, and stars and the octopus has to choose the Duke helmet. … It doesn’t matter anyway. We have to play a team that has eight wins. I just think that’s where our focus is at. If they tell us to go somewhere next week, we’ll go.”
Wake Forest (8-3, 4-3) arrives with three straight victories.
“The way they play in all three phases and how tough and physical they play,” Diaz said. “They have an edge about them.”
With a 3-1 record this month, Wake Forest is assured of its first winning mark in November since 2008.
“Excited about another rivalry game,” said Jake Dickert, who’s the winningest first-year coach in Wake Forest history. “We got to make sure we reset to finish the season the way we’re capable of finishing the season.”
Wake Forest receiver Carlos Hernandez racked up 197 yards on five receptions in last week’s 52-14 non-conference romp past Delaware. Running back Demond Claiborne had a light workload last week, so with 849 rushing yards this year he should be refreshed in pursuit of the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
Last year, Duke beat Wake Forest on a touchdown on a pass play on the last snap of the regular-season finale. That gave the Blue Devils a three-game winning streak in the series.
Duke linebacker Tre Freeman could be back for Saturday’s game after he wasn’t quite ready in his injury rehab to play against North Carolina.
“I feel the signs would be positive for him Saturday (vs. Wake Forest),” Diaz said. “I can’t be certain.”
The Blue Devils are 2-3 in home games, with both victories against in-state opponents (Elon and NC State).
