Duke at Wake Forest - 2026 Matchup Preview
Duke logo Duke Blue Devils at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsWake Forest logo
Saturday, November 28th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
BB&T Field - Winston-Salem, NC

 
Blue Devils (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Manny Diaz (18 - 9)
Avg Score : 35 - 29 (37 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 5.5 (#41)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
WAKE is playing their 5th straight game
DUKE is playing their 8th straight game
Our Line: Wake Forest -4.5  (SP+ DUKE -1)
Projected Score: DUKE: 26 - WAKE: 30 (56)
WAKE Win prob: 64% | Cover: 49%
DUKE Travel: 74 miles
Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (28 - 17 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.6 - 4.4 (#37)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Duke's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Duke vs Tulane-9
Sat 9/12 Duke at Illinois+9
Sat 9/19 Duke vs Stanford-11.5
Sat 9/26 Duke vs William & Mary-28
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/10 Duke at Georgia Tech+5
Sat 10/17 Duke vs North Carolina-8
Fri 10/23 Duke at Virginia+6.5
Sat 10/31 Duke vs Boston College-11.5
Fri 11/6 Duke at NC State+5.5
Sat 11/14 Duke at Miami+21.5
Sat 11/21 Duke vs Clemson+2
Sat 11/28 Duke at Wake Forest+4.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Duke's Schedule
Wake Forest's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Wake Forest vs Akron-24
Sat 9/12 Wake Forest at Purdue-7
Fri 9/18 Wake Forest vs Miami+15
Sat 9/26 Wake Forest at Louisville+7
Sat 10/3 Wake Forest vs Stanford-13.5
Sat 10/10 Wake Forest at NC State+3.5
Sat 10/17 Wake Forest at California-3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Wake Forest vs Virginia-0
Sat 11/7 Wake Forest vs Merrimack-29.5
Sat 11/14 Wake Forest at SMU+8
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest at Georgia Tech+3.5
Sat 11/28 Wake Forest vs Duke-4.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Wake Forest's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
DUKE#25 (.25)46% (30)34.645% (51)2.8 (99)13847% (20)2854.32 (26)#116 (.23)44% (98)29.443% (73)46% (119)4.39 (129)62.711.7
WAKE#82 (.15)38% (112)28.140% (100)2.79 (101)15637% (115)2383.23 (113)#6 (.03)35% (8)22.137% (12)33% (7)3.24 (31)69.51.61.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
DUKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
WAKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
DUKE Offense1434.63746%4.321234241382854.344%55%45%47%15%.25
WAKE Defense1322.117.335.1%3.241.2 - - - - - 47%51%37%33%18%.03
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
DUKE Defense1429.427.543.8%4.391.7 - - - - - 48%50%43%46%17%.23
WAKE Offense1328.128.338.4%3.231.6193941562384.550%49%40%37%16%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Duke1429:4322.539%74%6.462.711.76.71.9331.3
Wake Forest1329:041940%55%7.469.51.61.27.42.3330.7
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
DUKE Offense1444% (112)45% (51)32.4138.24.326 (60).08 (85)2.8 (99)69% (85)10% (79)0.97 (65)
WAKE Defense1347% (34)37% (12) - - - - -.02 (10)2.49 (9)64% (22)12% (11)0.88 (27)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
DUKE Defense1448% (49)43% (73) - - - - .1 (68)2.62 (19)73% (85)12% (14)1.03 (101)
WAKE Offense1350% (61)40% (100)34.8156.24.523 (49).11 (67)2.79 (101)79% (21)9% (71)1.12 (11)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
DUKE Offense1455% (21)47% (20)2436.1285.47.911.934 (14)6 (7).39 (24)1.6 (44)30% (39)33% (37).4 (30)6% (55)2.2 (13)
WAKE Defense1351% (102)33% (7) - - - - - - 4 (100).1 (12)1.5 (56)36% (10)25% (13).13 (13)6% (62)2 (60)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
DUKE Defense1450% (86)46% (119) - - - - - - 14 (22).41 (125)1.6 (107)32% (56)34% (123).44 (128)6% (86)2 (77)
WAKE Offense1349% (73)37% (115)17.831.2237.77.613.318 (106)11 (34).25 (69)1.7 (12)33% (93)28% (95).33 (60)6% (78)2.3 (8)

Duke's Power Ratings
Duke's Power Rating: 1.91  #57
Duke's Offense Rating: 15.11  #32
Duke's Defense Rating: 18.20  #74
2026 Talent Rating: 762.00  #62
Blue Chip Ratio: 5%  #54
Duke's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 5.5
Duke's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.6  #44
Duke's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.8  #19
Duke's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.2  #86

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Duke: 1.91   Wake Forest: 8.58

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Duke: 6.6   Wake Forest: 5.7




Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 8.58  #36
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 8.68  #80
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 7.22  #16
2026 Talent Rating: 854.00  #34
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #65
Wake Forest's 2026 Expected Record: 8.6 - 4.4
Wake Forest's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.7  #52
Wake Forest's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.6  #70
Wake Forest's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #34

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


Duke Scoring
Offense: 34.6 PPG
Offense on Road: 37
Defense: 29.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.5

Duke's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Wake Forest 30
Duke 26

Projected Total Points: 56
Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 28.3
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.3

Wake Forest's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/29Duke49Wake Forest32Duke -2.5Duke54.0Over
202411/30Wake Forest17Duke23Duke -3.5Duke53.5Under
202311/02Duke24Wake Forest21Duke -6.5Wake Forest41.0Over
202211/26Duke34Wake Forest31Wake Forest -3Duke67.0Under
202110/30Wake Forest45Duke7Wake Forest -16.5Wake Forest71.5Under
201911/23Wake Forest39Duke27Wake Forest -6.5Wake Forest50.0Over
201811/24Duke7Wake Forest59Duke -9.5Wake Forest61.5Over
201711/25Wake Forest23Duke31Wake Forest -10.5Duke59.0Under
201609/10Duke14Wake Forest24Duke -8.5Wake Forest45.5Under
201511/28Wake Forest21Duke27Duke -4Duke45.0Over
201411/29Duke41Wake Forest21Duke -18Duke0
201311/23Wake Forest21Duke28Duke -5.5Duke0
201209/29Wake Forest27Duke34
201110/22Duke23Wake Forest24
201009/11Wake Forest54Duke48
200911/28Duke34Wake Forest45
200811/01Wake Forest33Duke30
200710/06Duke36Wake Forest41
200609/09Wake Forest14Duke13
200510/29Duke6Wake Forest44
200410/30Wake Forest24Duke22
200310/18Duke13Wake Forest42
200210/12Wake Forest36Duke10
200110/13Duke35Wake Forest42
200011/03Wake Forest28Duke26
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Wake Forest1655 Overs
Duke975 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams12 - 135 - 74 - 41 - 3
Road Teams13 - 127 - 53 - 14 - 4

(#57) DUKE at (#36) WAKE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatDUKEWAKE
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #57 #36
SP+SP+ #44 #52
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #62 #34
Blue ChipsBC% #54 #65
Duke on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
DUKE OffWAKE Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #30 #8
ExplosiveExp #30 #43
PPAPPA #25 #6
PowerPwr #32 #16
SP+SP+ #19 #34
Pts POPPO #26 #31
HavocHav #67 #21
Duke Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
DUKE OffWAKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #51 #12
Run ExplRExp #65 #27
PPAExp #85 #10
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #99 #9
Stuff RateStuff #115 #4
TackleTak - NR
Duke Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
DUKE OffWAKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #20 #7
Pass ExplPExl #44 #56
PPAExp #24 #12
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #79 #11
DB HavocDB #55 #62
Wake Forest on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatWAKE OffDUKE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #112 #98
ExplosiveExp #5 #120
PPAPPA #82 #116
PowerPwr #80 #74
SP+SP+ #70 #86
Pts POPPO #113 #129
HavocHav #70 #36
Wake Forest Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffDUKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #100 #73
Run ExplRExp #11 #101
PPAExp #67 #68
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #101 #19
Stuff RateStuff #62 #11
TackleTak - NR
Wake Forest Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatWAKE OffDUKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #115 #119
Pass ExplPExl #12 #107
PPAExp #69 #125
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #71 #14
DB HavocDB #78 #86
Program Comparison
WAKE 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

DUKE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in BB&T Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Duke beat Wake Forest last year (49-32)
Duke beat Wake Forest in 2024 (23-17)
Duke beat Wake Forest in 2023 (24-21)

  
DUKE's OC Jonathan Brewer (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Walker Eget (Tr)23239359%30581797.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Nate Sheppard2001132115.760
CJ Campbell2211905.422
Walker Eget (Tr)339602.913
Travis Bates95706.339
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javen Nicholas (Tr)60740512.364
Jeremiah Hasley40454611.456
Nate Sheppard3728617.720
Nate Kurisky (Tr)2015727.937

View Duke's Full Roster

DUKE's DC Jonathan Patke (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Luke Mergott918293
DaShawn Stone862013
Patrick Smith-Young (Tr)701003
Landan Callahan420002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elliott Schaper162200
Luke Mergott918293
Kendall Johnson373142
Preston Watson153121
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dylan Flowers (Tr)331004
Luke Mergott918293
Patrick Smith-Young (Tr)701003

WAKE's OC Rob Ezell (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Giovanni Lopez17026165%17471056.7
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ty Clark III7532334.315
Giovanni Lopez8613331.517
KD Daniels (Tr)2812014.316
JaMario Clements226302.99
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Hernandez40611315.393
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)25604624.275
Drayden Dickmann (Tr)3732338.746
Ty Clark III17209112.362

View Wake Forest's Full Roster

WAKE's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Aiden Hall738023
Langston Hardy6515790
Quincy Bryant572010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Langston Hardy6515790
Gabe Kirschke379540
Dallas Afalava336481
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Braylon Johnson381114