Duke’s 3-0 start has put the Blue Devils in a spot where Saturday should be more about discipline than drama. William & Mary comes in as a heavy underdog, but the matchup still gives Duke a chance to keep building momentum, sharpen some edges and maybe even let a few players cash in on extended snaps.
The biggest question is whether Duke treats this like another business trip or like a game where the scoreboard can get away from the opponent early. Tight end Jeremiah Hasley said after the win over Stanford that the mindset inside the program hasn’t changed.
“It doesn't matter who the opponent is," Hasley said. "We know we have to approach each and every day, regardless of who the opponent is. We didn't play our best (against Stanford) on offense or defense, and the chip on our shoulder is we need to do better, and it starts with William and Mary.”
That attitude matters because Duke is a 43.5-point favorite, and those are the kind of games that can drift if a team gets casual. The Blue Devils have not sounded interested in that kind of trap.
Of course, a big part of the attention here centers on Nate Sheppard. The sophomore running back has been one of the early stories of the 2026 season, leading the nation in carries and rushing yards through three weeks.
Against a William & Mary defense that ranks 122nd in the FCS against the run, the numbers could get even louder. Sheppard’s name is already showing up in early Heisman Trophy chatter, and a dominant afternoon would only add fuel.
That said, Duke may not need Sheppard - or any of the starters - for a full four quarters if things go the way the Blue Devils want. The roster has some depth concerns, so if Duke starts fast, it would not be surprising to see key players’ workloads trimmed early.
The one area where William & Mary can make this interesting is turnovers. The Tribe’s defense has been excellent at forcing them, with 11 takeaways that rank tied for second in the FCS.
Duke has protected the ball well so far, giving it away just twice through the first quarter of the season, but this is still the kind of stat that can swing fast if focus slips. Manny Diaz would be wise to hammer ball security in practice this week.
There’s also a potential opportunity for freshman quarterback Dan Mahan. The former No. 24-ranked quarterback in North Carolina high school football has barely played so far, going 0-for-2 passing while running five times for 36 yards. If Duke gets control early, this could be the best chance for him to log meaningful reps and put something useful on film for the future at the position.
The game is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Wallace Wade Stadium and will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
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