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| 11Illinois Fighting Illini | |
 Duke Blue Devils |
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| ESPN | Saturday, September 6th 12:00 PM EDT | |
It will be an exciting atmosphere on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium as the Duke Blue Devils take on the No. 11 Illinois Fighting Illini.
The matchup is expected to be one of the most anticipated games at Wallace Wade Stadium since 2023, when the Blue Devils hosted the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a primetime game on ABC. Duke University also played host to the popular pregame show College GameDay.
While there won’t be as much fanfare as in 2023, Duke head coach Manny Diaz said the Blue Devils will be ready.
“When you look at two teams that were so good in the fourth quarter a year ago? I think both teams will show toughness, and I think we have a team that feels the same way,” Diaz said.
If Diaz wants the matchup to go in Duke’s favor, the Blue Devils will need to get to a hot start.
The Blue Devils (1-0) hit the ground walking on Thursday, August 28, but turned it around in the second half for a 45-17 win against the Elon Phoenix at Wallace Wade Stadium.
The Fighting Illini have not been ranked this high in the AP Top 25 polls since 2008, when the Illini won an at-large bid to the Rose Bowl against the USC Trojans. The Fighting Illini are also on a tear, with a five-game winning streak dating back to November 2024.
Diaz said games like Saturday’s are the ones the Blue Devils want.
“What I know is the best way to get eyeballs on our games is to get Duke better,” Diaz said. “I think it’s awesome that Illinois is ranked what they’re ranked. I like to think we have a hand in the fact that it’s a noon kickoff as well.”
Who to watch for the Blue Devils: Transfer power on display at QB
Quarterback Darian Mensah, who transferred to Duke after one season with the Tulane Green Wave, was lights out against Elon. He completed 79.4% of his passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns.
The Blue Devils will need him to get out to a hot start if Duke wants to upset the Illini and make their way into the AP Top 25. With more than a week of rest under them, they could be in good shape for an upset.
When, where and how to watch Duke
When: Noon, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025
Where: Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, North Carolina
How to watch: ESPN
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