Blue Devil Country

Duke Football Ranking Disappears Following Shutout Loss

Duke football is absent from the AP Top 25 for the first time since the preseason edition.

Matt Giles

Duke football at Louisville (Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)
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The Duke football team fell at Louisville, 23-0, on Saturday. It was the Blue Devils' second straight loss and third defeat (all to ranked teams) in their past four outings.

As a result, Duke (5-3, 2-2 ACC) dropped out of the latest AP Top 25 Poll on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Devils are no longer receiving votes there, but they are fifth among "others receiving votes" in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

This week marks the first time Duke has been unranked since the Blue Devils' statement victory at home in Week 1 over then-No. 9 Clemson (now unranked at 4-4 overall and 2-4 in ACC play).

No. 4 Florida State (8-0, 6-0 ACC) and No. 15 Louisville (7-1, 4-1 ACC) are the only two ACC teams in this week's AP Top 25.

However, UNC is second among "others receiving votes" this go-round, despite the Tar Heels (Duke's Week 10 opponent in Chapel Hill) dropping two straight as heavy favorites against unranked opponents in Virginia and Georgia Tech.

It's worth pointing out that Duke football lost three of four at one point last season, the first year under head coach Mike Elko, before bouncing back to win five of their final six outings.

These Blue Devils can still outdo the 2022 bunch in the wins column. They look to return to their winning ways and become bowl-eligible when they host Wake Forest (4-4, 1-4 ACC) at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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