Duke Gets Major Power Rankings Push From ESPN
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The Duke Blue Devils received the biggest snub from Associated Press voters this weekend.
Despite going 4-0 to start the year, the Blue Devils are unranked entering their bye this week. Duke's hot start comes on the heels of winning the ACC championship last season. The program is on an impressive eight-game winning streak, the longest streak Duke has had since 2013.
It's incomprehensible that Duke is outside of the rankings while a 3-1 Missouri team is ranked No. 25 after losing to Mississippi State on Saturday. That's not a knock on the Bulldogs, who deserve to be ranked after the win, but certainly Mizzou has more work to do before being in the Top 25.
ESPN has a much more favorable view of Duke this week, ranking the Blue Devils at No. 22. Andrea Adelson pointed out that the defense ranks in the top 12 nationally in total defense and run defense, which bodes well for the Blue Devils continuing to pile up wins this season.
Running back Nate Sheppard isn't getting enough credit nationally. He leads the NCAA in yards rushing with 644 yards on the ground, beating out a Heisman Trophy favorite in Florida running back Jadan Baugh by 44 yards through four games.
Sheppard has been the key to boosting Duke's offense after it lost quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate in the transfer portal to Miami.
Duke could continue to make a push for the ACC championship this year without Mensah. The Blue Devils will next play at Georgia Tech on Oct. 10. The Yellow Jackets are just 1-3 after losing quarterback Haynes King and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.
Then Duke has winnable games in October and early November against North Carolina, Virginia, Boston College, and NC State. The schedule gets tougher in November, when they'll travel to play No. 4 Miami on Nov. 14, host Clemson on Nov. 20, and finish the regular season on the road against Wake Forest.
It's not impossible to think Duke could go 10-2 or 11-1 with that record. One can't help but imagine what the possibilities would look like if Mensah hadn't transferred to Miami.
But that's in the past. Sheppard is a legitimate star who should receive national recognition in his own right. Quarterback Walker Eget has done enough in the early season, throwing for 721 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception.
Duke should be ranked coming out of the bye. But knowing AP voters, the Blue Devils will be forgotten this weekend.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos