Blue Devil Country

Duke Football Reveals Backdrop for College GameDay

The Duke football program's big day will begin at the heart of campus.

Matt Giles

Duke football fans (Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports)
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There's no word on who will serve as the celebrity guest picker for Duke football's first ESPN College GameDay, airing from 9 a.m. to noon ET on Saturday ahead of the 7:30 p.m. showdown between the No. 17 Blue Devils (4-0, 1-0 ACC) and No. 11 Notre Dame (4-1) on ABC. That news should break in the coming days.

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But on Monday evening, the Duke football account announced on social media that the breathtaking Duke University Chapel at the center of West Campus is the chosen centerpiece for the set where the famous College GameDay crew (Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, and Lee Corso) will broadcast from:

Some folks hoped ESPN wouldn't make the day overly Duke basketball-centric. Had the decision-makers selected Cameron Indoor Stadium and Krzyzewskiville as the backdrop, not to mention still potentially having a Duke basketball legend as the guest picker, it might've been seen as disrespect by the well-deserving Duke football team.

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At the same time, though, despite its picturesque charm, Wallace Wade Stadium (set for its first matchup between two ranked teams since the 1994 Blue Devils, then No. 23, defeated No. 13 Virginia in Durham) isn't likely to impress regular viewers compared to the more common locations for the show.

In other words, the Duke Chapel — the most recognizable symbol of the private school's overall prestige — seems like an ideal choice, even though it's several hundred yards from where the game will take place.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke football news.

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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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