If you ask any coach or player which game on the schedule matters most to them, you will likely get the same answer: the next one.
And while that might be true, there are certain dates on the schedule that coaches and players have likely circled. Every season for Duke, that is most likely the matchup against arch-rival North Carolina, but for this upcoming season, there might be one that the Blue Devils want to win even more.
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The Athletic knows precisely which game that is.
Game to circle: The Blue Devils visit Miami and their former quarterback on Nov. 14. The Hurricanes look loaded again and are the favorite in the ACC under Mario Cristobal, who replaced Diaz in an awkward transition. This would go down as one of the sweeter victories in Duke history if the Blue Devils can spring the upset.
The storylines leading up to the game write themselves: the Blue Devils will face former quarterback Darian Mensah, who decided at the last second this offseason to enter the transfer portal and sign with the Hurricanes despite giving Duke his word that he would be back.
Add in the fact that Mensah was joined by Cooper Barkate, who led the Blue Devils in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last season, and the game will mean even more.
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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: The Athletic names the game Duke has circled on its schedule
