Duke Football 2026 Preview: Can Manny Diaz Keep Winning With a Different Formula?

Duke won the ACC last season and has now posted back-to-back nine-win seasons under a coaching staff that keeps finding ways to win, even when the path is anything but conventional. The formula will have to change in 2026 after losing Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate to Miami. San Jose State transfer Walker Eget takes over at quarterback after playing through a torn ACL last season, while freshman All-American Nate Sheppard should become the centerpiece of a more run-heavy, ball-control offense built around play action.

The defense remains the bigger question after creating plenty of havoc but giving up far too many big plays a year ago. Manny Diaz appears intent on keeping the aggressive approach while cleaning up the missed tackles and breakdowns that turned short gains into disasters. With a backloaded schedule featuring Miami, Clemson, NC State and Wake Forest, we expect Duke to take a step back from its conference-title season, but this staff has earned the benefit of the doubt.

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