When the season began, few outside of Durham or Atlanta would’ve guessed that Duke vs. Georgia Tech would be one of the marquee ACC showdowns in mid-October. Yet here they are — two darkhorse contenders who’ve quietly built résumés strong enough to keep them in the league title conversation.
For Duke, Saturday represents another chance to prove its transformation under head coach Manny Diaz is no fluke. The Blue Devils have become the top FBS program in North Carolina over the past two seasons, pairing consistent quarterback play from Darian Mensah this fall with one of the ACC’s most efficient offensive lines.
Georgia Tech, meanwhile, has stormed to a 6-0 start behind dual-threat quarterback Haynes King and a punishing ground game. Ranked No. 12 nationally, the Yellow Jackets are chasing their first 7-0 start in nearly six decades — but to get there, they’ll have to end Duke’s six-game ACC winning streak.
Saturday’s noon kickoff feels like a crossroads moment: can Duke solidify its rise as a legitimate ACC contender, or will Georgia Tech’s momentum roll on toward November with championship stakes still in sight?
Georgia Tech at Duke How to Watch
🏈 Matchup: No. 12 Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0 ACC) at Duke (4-2, 3-0 ACC)
🏟️ Where: Wallace Wade Stadium | Durham, NC
⏰ Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 | 12 p.m. ET
📺 TV: ESPN
📅 Last Meeting: Georgia Tech 24, Duke 14 (2024)
📊 Latest Line: Duke -1.5 | Over/under 60.5 (Draft Kings)
⚫️🔵⚫️ pic.twitter.com/4tuTOIP6VN — Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) October 16, 2025
🔹 5 Things to Know About Duke vs. Georgia Tech
- First ACC Clash of Unbeatens in the Rivalry’s History
This marks the 92nd meeting between Duke and Georgia Tech—but the first time both have entered unbeaten in ACC play since Tech joined the league in 1983. The Yellow Jackets lead the series 55-31-1 and have won the last four matchups. - Duke’s O-Line Anchors a High-Powered Offense
The Blue Devils’ offensive line earned a spot on the midseason Joe Moore Award honor roll and has propelled Duke to No. 20 nationally in total offense (467 ypg) and No. 25 nationally in scoring (36.5 points per game). Led by right tackle Brian Parker II, a consensus midseason All-American, the group has allowed quarterback Darian Mensah to post top-10 national passing stats. - Freshman Sensation in the Backfield
True freshman Nate Sheppard has been a breakout star, averaging 7.98 yards per carry, third in the ACC. He’s coming off back-to-back multi-TD performances and is one of the nation’s most efficient young rushers. - Georgia Tech’s Ground Game Has Been Devastating
Quarterback Haynes King has fueled the Jackets’ offense with 440 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, complementing a ground attack that averages 238 yards per game. Tech ranks among the top 25 nationally in rushing efficiency and is off to its first 6-0 start since 2011. - ACC Title Implications Loom Large
The winner emerges as a legitimate conference title contender. Duke rides a six-game ACC winning streak—their longest since 2013—while Georgia Tech aims to start 7-0 for the first time since 1966.
⭐ Key Players
Duke: QB Darian Mensah (1,838 yards, 15 TDs), RB Nate Sheppard (571 all-purpose yards), RT Brian Parker II (nation-leading 93.5 PFF grade).
Georgia Tech: QB Haynes King (1,411 total yards, 13 TDs), RB Malachi Hosley (8.93 ypc, ACC-best), LB Kyle Efford (team-high tackles).
🔮 What to Expect / Prediction
Duke’s offensive line should give Mensah time to attack through the air, while Georgia Tech’s rushing versatility keeps the pressure on. Expect a tight contest with scoring both ways, where turnovers and red-zone execution decide it.
Prediction: Indiana is becoming a football school. Why not the Blue Devils? Duke 34, Georgia Tech 31
