The Duke Blue Devils are back at Wallace Wade Stadium this Saturday with Boston College coming in hot, and the formula for another win starts on the defensive side of the ball.
Coming off a tight but valuable victory over Virginia, Duke is leaning on its run game and defense again. If Manny Diaz’s group wants to keep that momentum rolling, the defense has to handle a Boston College attack that wants to pound the ball early and often.
That starts with Boston College’s ground game, which is averaging about 181 yards per contest. A big chunk of that production runs through quarterback Mason McKenzie, who has piled up 614 rushing yards and five touchdowns. For Duke, that puts a premium on staying locked in at the mesh point and keeping McKenzie contained.
If McKenzie gives the ball away, it goes to Bo MacCormack III, who has stepped in for Evan Dickens after Dickens suffered a season-ending knee injury. Boston College mixes in keepers, counters, power, trap, veer, and option looks, so Duke’s pursuit angles will have to be sharp from every level of the defense. That also means the pass rush may have to take a back seat at times, with the front focused more on keeping McKenzie bottled up.
The good news for Duke is that McKenzie hasn’t been nearly as dangerous through the air. He has thrown seven interceptions against eight touchdowns this season, and the Blue Devils’ pass defense has been one of the steadier parts of the team. Their defenders have shown they can disrupt throws at the catch point, and that could matter a lot here.
Duke is also likely to lean on zone looks, which could force McKenzie into some uncomfortable decisions before the snap. The linebackers have shown they can cover space, while the defensive backs have the awareness to hover, react, and go after the football. If there’s a game where Duke finally comes up with takeaways through the air, this is a strong candidate.
And if the Blue Devils’ top defenders show up the way they’re capable of, that could tilt the whole afternoon.
Tyshon Reed Jr. was all over the field against Virginia and has a chance to keep that momentum going. Sophomore Bryce Davis feels like a player ready to break through with a strong outing. On the back end, Luke Mergott has a knack for making impact plays in coverage, while Patrick Smith-Young is worth watching again after his standout game against the Cavaliers.
When those difference-makers start flashing, the whole defense opens up.
In Other News...
Asa Montgomery Commitment Creates A New Duke Roster Debate
Dukes 2027 recruiting picture changed quickly when Asa Montgomery, a 5-star forward ranked No. 8 overall in the class, announced for the Blue Devils. The commitment immediately pushed Dukes class from No. 39 to No. 9 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, a jump that reflects both Montgomerys national profile and the kind of momentum a program can build when it lands an elite piece early.
What makes the addition especially intriguing is the fit. Montgomery brings versatility and defensive ability, traits Duke has long valued in high-end forwards, and he had taken official visits to several other schools before settling on Durham. His pledge gives the Blue Devils a major foundation in 2027, but it also leaves the next roster debate hanging in the air as Duke continues shaping how this class will come together. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Carries Momentum Into A Notre Dame Test With Bigger Stakes
Duke heads into its regular-season finale at Notre Dame with a little more spring in its step after a strong recent stretch. A win over Virginia and a draw against North Carolina have helped steady the Blue Devils at the right time, and now they get one last tuneup at Alumni Stadium before the postseason picture comes into focus.
Ethan Congleton and Jack Ottley have been the driving forces on the stat sheet, giving Duke the kind of production it needs in a matchup with bigger stakes than a typical November game. The challenge is clear enough already, but the Blue Devils are also managing several injuries, which adds another layer to a night that could shape how they enter the playoffs. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Commitment Has Fans Wondering About Jon Scheyers Next Big Prize
Duke kept its recruiting momentum rolling with another major addition in the 2027 class, landing Asa Montgomery, a five-star small forward and a top 10 prospect in the cycle. The commitment gives Jon Scheyer and his staff their third pledge for 2027 and only adds to the sense that the Blue Devils are building another elite group well before those players ever set foot on campus.
Now the attention is shifting to what comes next, and Scheyer appears to already have his eyes on two of the biggest names in the 2028 class. Colton Hiller is on Dukes board with the possibility of reclassifying to 2027, while Yann Kamagate, a highly ranked 7-foot center, already has a Duke offer and plenty of other major programs in the chase, setting up another high-stakes recruitment to watch. [Read more 🡒]