Duke Slammed by ESPN in College Football Playoff Projection

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Let's try a thought experiment here. Insert Miami in place of Duke. 

Imagine the Hurricanes started the season 4-0 in the midst of an eight-game winning streak that included winning the ACC championship. Miami's running back led the NCAA in rushing yards. 

Would that Miami team be ranked heading into Week 5? Would the Hurricanes be projected to make the College Football Playoff?

I think yes.

For Duke, it's a hard no. 

The Blue Devils are entering their bye this week unranked despite having a resume that includes all of the above. 

ESPN's Heather Dinich released her bubble watch for Week 5 on Tuesday. She thinks that if the CFP selection committee released their final rankings this week, Duke would be left out of the tournament. Miami would be the only ACC team to make the CFP.

Duke is coming off a 62-7 win over Williams & Mary, the only snoozer on the schedule so far for head coach Manny Diaz. The Blue Devils beat Tulane, who made the CFP last season, in Week 1 by two touchdowns.

Duke earned a 31-27 win on the road over Illinois, a Big Ten program. The Blue Devils have a 35-7 win over Stanford, who showed promise on Saturday by beating Georgia Tech. 

Duke has to be asking what they can do to enter the CFP conversation and get national respect. If another team accomplished what they have since November when another logo, they'd be ranked and in the CFP conversation.

The Blue Devils have a favorable schedule for the rest of the fall. They'll play North Carolina, Virginia, Boston College, NC State, No. 4 Miami, Clemson, and Wake Forest. Only the Hurricanes are ranked.

There's a good possibility the selection committee will have to decide on the fate of a one- or two-loss Duke team at the end of the season.

Duke had legitimate star power this season

The Blue Devils might have earned more respect and Darian Mensah not bolted for Miami in the transfer portal. But it's not like the cupboard is bare in Durham.

Nate Sheppard is a star in his own right. He leads the NCAA in rushing with 644 yards and six touchdowns on 91 carries, a whopping 7.1 yards per rush.

With Sheppard leading the way, San Jose State transfer quarterback Walker Eget has looked competent, throwing for 721 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos