Duke Football Doesn’t Crack the Top Five of the Early USA TODAY Sports ACC Power Rankings: What This Means for the Program’s Future

Duke football, traditionally viewed as a basketball powerhouse, has made significant strides in recent years to reshape its identity on the gridiron. Under head coach Mike Elko, the Blue Devils have steadily improved, culminating in a promising season that has raised expectations for the future of the program. Despite this progress, Duke football did not crack the top five of the early 2025 USA TODAY Sports ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) power rankings, sparking conversation about where the Blue Devils stand within the competitive landscape of college football’s Power Five conferences.

The exclusion of Duke from the top five in the ACC power rankings, especially after a solid showing in recent years, reveals much about the perceptions surrounding the program. While Duke has made strides, there are still significant obstacles in their path as they aim to reach the upper echelon of ACC football. In this article, we will explore what it means for Duke football to be outside the top five, the factors that contribute to this placement, and what steps the program needs to take to break into the elite tier of ACC football.

1. The State of Duke Football Under Mike Elko

Mike Elko’s arrival at Duke in 2022 marked a turning point for a program that had struggled for consistency in recent years. Before Elko’s tenure, Duke had been mired in mediocrity, with flashes of success but little sustained dominance. However, in his first two seasons at the helm, Elko has breathed new life into the program, proving that Duke football can compete at a higher level.

Under Elko, the Blue Devils have shown significant improvement in areas that had previously held them back—most notably, their defense. Elko, known for his expertise on the defensive side of the ball, has instilled a new mindset in the team, helping Duke become one of the more formidable defensive units in the ACC. Additionally, Elko has been successful in recruiting players who fit his vision for the program, bringing in athletes who can execute his defensive schemes while also improving the Blue Devils’ offensive production.

In 2023, Duke posted a respectable 9-4 record, finishing with a bowl game victory and securing its first winning season since 2018. This success was highlighted by key wins against ACC opponents and a tough, hard-nosed playing style that was reminiscent of the program’s best days. Duke’s 2023 season was, without a doubt, a statement year for the Blue Devils, as they demonstrated that they were capable of competing with top-tier teams in the conference.

However, despite this momentum, Duke football still has a long way to go before it can be considered a perennial top contender in the ACC. This is where the lack of a top-five ranking in the early USA TODAY Sports ACC power rankings comes into play. While Duke has shown significant promise under Elko, it is still an uphill battle to compete with long-established powers such as Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina.

2. The Competitive Landscape of the ACC

To understand why Duke did not crack the top five in the early ACC power rankings, it’s essential to look at the competition within the conference. The ACC is home to some of the most established programs in college football, and in recent years, the conference has seen a resurgence of powerhouses that make it difficult for a program like Duke to break into the upper echelon.

Clemson Tigers: The Standard of the ACC

Clemson football has set the standard in the ACC for over a decade. Under head coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers have won multiple ACC titles, consistently made the College Football Playoff, and established themselves as a powerhouse on the national stage. While Clemson’s dominance has slightly waned in recent years, they remain the gold standard in the ACC, and no other program has consistently shown the same level of sustained excellence.

For Duke to crack the top five, they would need to surpass Clemson, a daunting task for any program in the ACC. Clemson’s combination of recruiting talent, coaching stability, and historical success places them in a position where they will always be a contender for the top spot, and this sets a high bar for any other team in the conference.

Florida State Seminoles: A Resurgent Power

Florida State, long one of the ACC’s most successful programs, has experienced a revival in recent years. With head coach Mike Norvell leading the charge, the Seminoles are once again viewed as national title contenders. In 2023, Florida State finished with an impressive 12-1 record, including a dominant win over LSU in the season opener. Their mix of elite talent, especially at the quarterback position with Jordan Travis, and strong recruiting efforts has catapulted them back into the national conversation.

For Duke to crack the top five, it would need to overcome teams like Florida State, which has the resources, recruiting pedigree, and historical success to consistently be among the conference’s best. While Duke has made progress, Florida State’s ability to reload and compete with the nation’s top teams still places them at the forefront of the ACC.

North Carolina Tar Heels: A Rising Force

North Carolina has been another team to watch in recent years, as head coach Mack Brown has revitalized the program. With an explosive offense led by quarterback Drake Maye, North Carolina is a dangerous opponent for any team in the ACC. The Tar Heels have shown consistent improvement and have the potential to challenge for an ACC title in the near future.

The rise of North Carolina as a football power has only made it more difficult for teams like Duke to break into the top tier. The Tar Heels’ recent success in recruiting and developing talent gives them a significant advantage, further pushing Duke down the power rankings.

Other ACC Powerhouses

Programs like Miami, NC State, and Pitt also pose significant challenges for Duke, with each team fielding competitive rosters and having strong coaching staffs. These teams have built their own traditions of success and remain in contention for top ACC spots.

3. The Factors Holding Duke Back

Duke’s failure to crack the top five in the early ACC power rankings can be attributed to several factors, each contributing to the challenges the Blue Devils face in their quest to join the upper tier of the conference.

Recruiting Challenges

One of the most significant hurdles for Duke football is recruiting. While the Blue Devils have made strides in this area, they still find themselves at a disadvantage when competing for top-tier talent against schools with greater football pedigrees and larger recruiting budgets. Programs like Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina can offer recruits more exposure, bigger stadiums, and better NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, which gives them an edge in attracting the best players.

Duke’s academic standards, while a point of pride for the university, also limit the pool of potential recruits. Many top-tier football players come from backgrounds that prioritize football first, and while Duke offers an exceptional academic experience, it may not be the first choice for recruits looking to play at the highest level of college football.

Depth and Consistency

While Duke has shown flashes of brilliance, the program’s depth and consistency have not yet reached the level of other top ACC programs. Teams like Clemson and Florida State can consistently field elite talent across all positions, allowing them to remain competitive even when facing injuries or roster turnover. Duke, on the other hand, is still building that kind of depth and needs to develop a more reliable system that can withstand the grind of a full season.

Duke has had success in individual seasons but has yet to establish the kind of consistency that programs like Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina have enjoyed in recent years. The ability to compete week-in and week-out at the highest level is crucial for breaking into the top tier of the ACC, and this remains a challenge for Duke.

Strength of Schedule

Another factor working against Duke is the strength of their schedule. While the Blue Devils face tough competition within the ACC, they do not have the same level of non-conference matchups that some other teams have. For example, Clemson and Florida State often face high-profile non-conference opponents, which helps them build their resume and garner national attention. Duke, on the other hand, has yet to consistently schedule the kind of non-conference games that will elevate their program’s profile on a national scale.

4. What Duke Needs to Do to Break Into the Top Five

While Duke is currently outside the top five of the ACC power rankings, there are steps the program can take to elevate itself in the years to come.

Recruiting and Development

Duke must continue to focus on improving its recruiting efforts. While they may never be able to compete directly with the likes of Clemson or Florida State in terms of overall talent, they can work to find diamonds in the rough—players who may be overlooked by other programs but fit well into Duke’s system. Additionally, building a strong player development program is key. If Duke can consistently develop talent and turn lower-ranked recruits into stars, they will be able to compete with the best in the ACC.

Building Depth

Duke needs to continue to build depth across its roster. This means improving the overall talent on both sides of the ball, especially in the trenches. If Duke can develop a strong, consistent offensive and defensive line, it will give them a significant advantage in competing with teams that have superior skill position players.

Enhancing National Exposure

Finally, Duke must find ways to enhance its national exposure. This could involve scheduling higher-profile non-conference games or making a more concerted effort to get their players and programs recognized on the national stage. If Duke can consistently perform at a high level in both conference play and non-conference matchups, they will gain more respect in the rankings.

While Duke football’s exclusion from the top five of the early USA TODAY Sports ACC power rankings may be disappointing for fans, it is not necessarily a reflection of the program’s trajectory. Mike Elko’s efforts to rebuild Duke into a competitive force in the ACC are starting to bear fruit, and the program has made significant strides in recent years. However, competing with the established powers of the ACC remains a difficult challenge, and Duke has a long road ahead if it hopes to consistently crack the upper echelons of the conference.

Duke’s program is headed in the right direction, but it will take continued effort in recruiting, player development, and team-building to elevate the Blue Devils into the upper ranks of the ACC. The future is bright, but for now, Duke must continue to prove itself on the field and in the recruiting battle if it hopes to eventually crack the top five in the ACC power rankings.