This series takes an early look at the teams on Virginia Tech’s 2024 schedule. It will run up to the ACC's media days in late July. Read previous entries here.
Duke
• When: Nov. 23 at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. (Time/Network TBD)
• Last year’s record: 8-5, 4-4 ACC (t-6th), beat Troy 17-10 in the Birmingham Bowl
• Coach: Manny Diaz, first season at Duke, 21-15 in three seasons at Miami
• 2024 SP+ ranking: 47th
Last meeting
Virginia Tech got in the end zone in the first two minutes but didn’t score again in a 24-7 loss to Duke in Durham in 2022, sending the Hokies to their seventh straight loss — the program’s longest losing streak since 1951. Things started promising for Tech, which hit on a 53-yard touchdown to Da’Wain Lofton on its second offensive play. The Hokies finished with just 281 yards, though, and the Blue Devils, led by quarterback Riley Leonard’s 262 passing yards and two touchdowns, beat Virginia Tech into submission the rest of the way, scoring 24 unanswered points. Tech ran for just 105 yards and had 13 first downs.
The big picture
One of the best coaching stints in Duke history came to an end when Mike Elko parlayed his success in Durham to land a big-boy job at Texas A&M. The results from his time with the Blue Devils? A 16-9 overall record, including a 9-7 mark in the ACC, and two bowl wins.