ACC Football Preview – Duke vs #12 Georgia Tech

Duke v GT Preview

Duke hosts GT in what will maybe end up being the most important game of the 2025 season. Both the Blue Devils and Yellow Jackets have gotten out to 3-0 starts in ACC action, and Virginia is the only other ACC team to have done so. After a 1-2 start to the season, Duke sits  atop the conference standings and has put itself in legitimate contention for an ACC Championship. 

Georgia Tech is coming off a 35-20 win over Virginia Tech a week ago, while Duke bounced California 45-21 on Oct. 4. The Yellow Jackets (6-0, 3-0 ACC), who are 2-0 on the road this year, could move to 4-0 in conference play for the first time since 1998 with a win. The Blue Devils (4-2, 3-0 ACC), who have won three in a row, are 2-1 on their home field this season.

This marks the 92nd meeting between Duke and Georgia Tech but the first time both have entered unbeaten in ACC play since Tech joined the league in 1983. The Yellow Jackets lead the series 55-31-1 and have won the last four matchups.

The Blue Devils defense will try to slow down Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King and his rushing attempts could determine the winner of the game. The  Duke offense, led by quarterback Darian Mensah, can maintain their momentum over the last three weeks to try and keep the Georgia Tech offense on the sidelines.

The Blue Devils’ offensive line earned a spot on the midseason Joe Moore Award honor roll and has propelled Duke to No. 20 nationally in total offense (467 ypg)and No. 25 nationally in scoring (36.5 points per game). Led by right tackle Brian Parker II, a consensus midseason All-American, the group has allowed quarterback Darian Mensah to post top-10 national passing stats.

True freshman Nate Sheppard has been a breakout star, averaging 7.98 yards per carry, third in the ACC. He’s coming off back-to-back multi-TD performances and is one of the nation’s most efficient young rushers.

Georgia Tech Quarterback Haynes King has fueled the Jackets’ offense with 440 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, complementing a ground attack that averages 238 yards per game. Tech ranks among the top 25 nationally in rushing efficiency and is off to its first 6-0 start since 2011.

The winner emerges as a legitimate conference title contender. Duke rides a six-game ACC winning streak—their longest since 2013—while Georgia Tech aims to start 7-0 for the first time since 1966.

Prediction

Duke’s offensive line should give Mensah time to attack through the air, while Georgia Tech’s running game keeps the pressure on. Expect a tight contest with scoring both ways, where turnovers and red-zone execution will go a long way to determine the winner. This game should be fun, entertaining, and one of the best on paper on the college football week 8 slate. The winner will find themselves in very good position going down the stretch. 

Duke 35, Georgia Tech 31