Duke looks for a 5-0 start under Manny Diaz when it hosts rival North Carolina
Northwestern defensive back Evan Smith (12) breaks up a pass meant for Duke wide receiver Jordan Moore (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Evanston, Ill. Credit: AP/Matt Marton
North Carolina (3-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Duke (4-0, 0-0), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Duke by 3.
Series record: The schools differ. UNC says it leads 66-40-4, Duke says UNC leads 65-41-4.
What’s at stake?
Duke has a chance to start 5-0 in a season for the first time since winning the first seven games of the 1994 season. UNC is reeling after giving up 70 points in a stunning home loss to James Madison after a 3-0 start. Both teams are looking to start league play with a win.
Key matchup
Duke's defensive front against UNC's offensive line. The Blue Devils have been aggressive up front under new coach Manny Diaz, who took over after a stint as Penn State's defensive coordinator. They rank tied for fourth nationally by averaging 3.75 sacks per game and No. 1 in the Bowl Subdivision by averaging 11.5 tackles for loss. The Tar Heels put up big offensive numbers in the JMU loss but had plenty of trouble blocking oncoming rushers against a team from the Sun Belt Conference.
Players to watch
UNC: RB Omarion Hampton. He's fifth in the country by averaging 138.8 yards on the ground and is tied for 11th by running for six touchdowns. He's the motor that powers UNC's offense.
Duke: WR Jordan Moore. He's the top target for Maalik Murphy with three touchdowns and two 100-yard outings in four games.
North Carolina wide receiver Kobe Paysour (8) escapes from James Madison cornerback DJ Barksdale (32) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. Credit: AP/Daniel Lin
Facts & figures
The winner of this rivalry game gets the Victory Bell, a tradition that began in 1948. ... Duke has won six straight games overall dating to last season. ... UNC has won five straight meetings in the series and 13 straight meetings under coach Mack Brown, including an eight-year run (1990-97) during his first stint with the Tar Heels. The Blue Devils had beaten Brown's Tar Heels in 1988 and 1989. ... Duke has reached 5-0 or better only five times in its history. .... The 70 points UNC allowed to James Madison matched the most allowed by the Tar Heels in any game, leading to Brown later apologizing for emotional locker-room comments to the team that included him floating the idea of whether he is the best choice to remain as coach.
