Duke football enters Saturday’s game at Georgia Tech riding an eight-game winning streak – and yet has struggled with the Yellow Jackets in each of the last five meetings.
Something will have to give in Atlanta.
The unbeaten Blue Devils (4-0, 1-0 ACC) have climbed into the national rankings behind one of the country’s most productive running backs in Nate Sheppard and a defense that has allowed just 11 points per game. But Georgia Tech has been a persistent problem for Duke, winning five straight in the series since the Blue Devils’ last victory in 2019.
The Yellow Jackets (1-3, 0-1 ACC) enter Saturday’s matchup from the opposite direction. After winning nine games last season and being picked fifth in the ACC preseason poll, Georgia Tech has stumbled through September and is coming off a bye week looking to reset its season.
Here is everything to know about Duke at Georgia Tech, including kickoff time, TV information, odds, injuries, key statistics and what to watch.
🔄 Last Updated: October 7, 2026 1:35 am
🏟️ How to Watch Duke at Georgia Tech Football
Matchup: Duke (4-0, 1-0 ACC) at Georgia Tech (1-3, 0-1 ACC)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
TV Channel: ESPN2
Broadcast Crew: Jay Alter (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Lauren Sisler (sideline)
📊 Duke vs. Georgia Tech betting odds
Spread: Duke -6.5
Over/Under Total: 48.5 points
Moneyline: Duke -275 | Georgia Tech +220
Lines courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds will be refreshed periodically during the week. All lines are subject to change.
🌧️ Game Day Weather
Forecast: Rain showers are possible, with some models showing 55-70 percent chance at kickoff.
Temperature: Around 65°F to 66°F degrees at kickoff
🩹 Injury Updates
Official availability reports from the ACC are released each week starting on Wednesdays. Information from those reports will be added here later in the week.
⏪ Last Time Out
Duke 62, William & Mary 7 (Sept. 26) – The Blue Devils had a bye this past weekend after dominating William & Mary at home two weeks ago. Duke piled up 638 yards of total offense and held the Tribe to 170, including just 17 rushing yards. Backup quarterback Dan Mahan threw three TD passes.
Stanford 34, Georgia Tech 27 (Sept. 26) – Despite missing several key players due to injury, the Yellow Jackets jumped to a 20-10 lead at Stanford Stadium. But the home team scored 24 unanswered points over an 18-minute stretch in the second half to steal the win and send Tech into its bye week on a sour note.
🔍 What to Know About Duke vs. Georgia Tech
Nate Sheppard has emerged as one of the nation’s best running backs
Duke sophomore Nate Sheppard has been one of the most productive running backs in FBS football through the first month of the season. Sheppard has rushed for 644 yards and six touchdowns on 91 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per attempt.
Despite playing only four games, Sheppard ranks third nationally in rushing yards, trailing Boise State’s Dylan Riley by just 41 yards and West Virginia’s Cam Cook by eight. Both have played five games.
Sheppard leads the FBS by a considerable margin with 161.0 rushing yards per game. Riley is second at 137.0.
That could create a significant matchup problem for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have allowed 189.0 rushing yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry, while Duke is averaging 243.5 yards as a team on the ground.
What has happened to Georgia Tech?
Expectations were relatively lofty for Georgia Tech entering the season.
The Yellow Jackets went 9-4 last year, climbed into the top 10 of the national rankings and were picked fifth among 17 teams in the ACC preseason poll. But after losing quarterback Haynes King (now with the Carolina Panthers) and returning roughly half of their production, Georgia Tech has struggled through a 1-3 start. The lone win is over FCS Mercer.
The problems have been particularly noticeable in an area that had become part of the program’s identity under coach Brent Key – running the football.
Georgia Tech is averaging only 126.3 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry. The Yellow Jackets were held to 51 rushing yards in a season-opening 14-13 loss to Colorado and have yet to rush for more than 163 yards in a game.
There have been other issues. New starting quarterback Alberto Mendoza has completed 68.3% of his passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns, but Georgia Tech has allowed nine sacks and committed five turnovers.
Duke hasn’t beaten Georgia Tech since 2019
For everything that has gone right for Duke football in recent seasons, Georgia Tech has remained a problem. The Yellow Jackets have won five consecutive meetings, including a 27-18 victory in Durham last season. Duke’s last win in the series came in 2019, and the Blue Devils haven’t won at Bobby Dodd Stadium since 2018.
Saturday renews one of the ACC’s longest-running series. It will be the 93rd meeting in 94 seasons between the programs, with 2023 the only season they haven’t played since the series began in 1933. Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 56-35-1.
Duke players have mentioned this game as another leg in its 2026 “revenge tour.” Tulane and Illinois both defeated Duke last season, and Duke has already beaten both in rematches this year. Will Georgia Tech be next after beating the Devils 27-18 in Durham last fall?
Duke getting national recognition, looking to extend eight-game win streak
Duke entered the US LBM Coaches Poll at No. 21 following its 62-7 win over William & Mary and, despite being idle last weekend, remains ranked at No. 23. It is the first time Duke has been ranked in the coaches poll since 2023.
The Blue Devils haven’t quite convinced enough Associated Press voters. Duke remains outside the AP Top 25 despite its 4-0 record, receiving 83 votes in the latest poll. Wake Forest also remains unranked at 4-1 despite a road win over then-No. 16 Louisville and last week’s 57-3 rout of Stanford. The Demon Deacons received 103 votes, finishing just 20 points behind No. 25 Pittsburgh.
The omission of teams such as Duke and Wake Forest has generated some discussion about how voters are evaluating early-season résumés. Duke was even closer a week earlier, receiving 101 points in the AP voting after beating William & Mary.
Regardless of the polls, Duke has put together one of the longest winning streaks in the country. The Blue Devils have won eight straight games dating to last season, their longest streak since 2013 and tied for the fourth-longest active streak nationally. A win at Georgia Tech would give Duke its first nine-game winning streak since 1941.
📊 Duke vs. Georgia Tech Stats and Trends
Duke Team Highlights
- Points For: 36.3 points per game
- Points Against: 11.0 points per game
- Passing Offense: 222.8 passing yards per game
- Rushing Offense: 243.5 rushing yards per game
- Passing Defense: 198.0 passing yards per game
- Rushing Defense: 63.8 rushing yards per game.
Duke Individual Statistical Leaders
- Passing: Walker Eget — 58-of-93 (62.4%), 721 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT
- Rushing: Nate Sheppard — 91 carries, 644 yards, 7.1 yards per carry, 6 TDs
- Receiving: Jeremiah Hasley — 13 receptions, 195 yards, 15.0 yards per catch
- Tackles: Nick Morris Jr. — 23 tackles
- Interceptions: Evan Smith — 1 interception, 19 return yards
- Scoring: Nate Sheppard — 54 points (9 TDs)
Georgia Tech Team Highlights
- Points For: 27.0 points per game
- Points Against: 26.0 points per game
- Passing Offense: 243.8 passing yards per game
- Rushing Offense: 126.3 rushing yards per game
- Passing Defense: 192.5 passing yards per game
- Rushing Defense: 189.0 rushing yards per game.
Georgia Tech Individual Statistical Leaders
- Passing: Alberto Mendoza — 84-of-123 (68.3%), 975 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs
- Rushing: Justice Haynes — 73 carries, 393 yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 3 TDs
- Receiving: Dalen Penson — 16 receptions, 241 yards, 15.1 yards per catch
- Tackles: Taje McCoy, Tae Harris and Tawfiq Thomas — 25 tackles each
- Interceptions: C.J. Gamble — 1 interception
- Scoring: Aidan Birr and Justice Haynes — 30 points each
📈 What the Numbers Say
1. Duke has an enormous advantage on the ground – on both sides.
Duke averages 243.5 rushing yards per game while Georgia Tech allows 189.0. On the other side, Georgia Tech averages only 126.3 rushing yards while Duke’s defense has surrendered just 63.8 per game and no rushing touchdowns through four games. That’s probably the biggest statistical mismatch heading into the game.
2. Third down could be a major problem for Georgia Tech.
Duke’s opponents have converted only 26.0% of their third downs. Georgia Tech’s offense is converting at just 35%. Meanwhile, Duke converts 43.1% of its own third downs, while Georgia Tech’s defense is allowing opponents to convert 41%.
3. Duke has been remarkably difficult to get off schedule.
The Blue Devils have allowed only one sack in four games, while their defense has produced 11. Georgia Tech has allowed nine sacks and generated six. That’s a +10 sack differential for Duke compared with -3 for Georgia Tech.
4. Watch the third quarter.
Duke has outscored opponents 31-3 in the third quarter. Georgia Tech has been outscored 32-20 in the third.
5. Here’s the Nate Sheppard stat that jumps off the page
Sheppard has rushed for 644 yards in four games. Georgia Tech’s entire team has officially rushed for 505. That’s a difference of 139 yards.
📚 Series History
- Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 56-35-1
- Last Meeting: Georgia Tech 27, Duke 18 (Oct. 18, 2025)
- First Meeting: Georgia Tech 6, Duke 0 (Dec. 2, 1933)
- The most recent Duke win came on Oct. 12, 2019 when the Blue Devils prevailed 41-23.
- The Blue Devils are 4-6 in the last 10 meetings and 5-15 over the last 20. Duke lost to Georgia Tech every year from 2004-2013.
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