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Duke Football: Blue Devils receive double-digit votes in both major polls

By Matt Giles

EVANSTON, IL- SEPTEMBER 08: Johnathan Lloyd #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates his touchdown with his teammates against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half on September 8, 2018 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL- SEPTEMBER 08: Johnathan Lloyd #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates his touchdown with his teammates against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half on September 8, 2018 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /
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The Duke football team’s 2-0 start to the 2018 season is creating some buzz, and as a result, the Blue Devils are inching closer to cracking the Associated Press Top 25 and the Amway Coaches Poll.

Simply receiving votes in the two major polls might not be newsworthy to fans of most programs from Power Five conferences; however, for Duke football devotees who endured 18 consecutive losing seasons from 1995-2012 — including four winless campaigns — it’s always fun to see the word “Duke” on any list that recognizes success.

In the AP Top 25 released on Sunday, Duke received ten votes. That puts the Blue Devils in the ninth spot on the list of “Others receiving votes.” So basically, the writers have the football squad from Durham ranked No. 34.

Duke did not receive any votes in the preseason AP Top 25 or after its 34-14 win over Army to open the season.

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Since 1961, the Blue Devils have only once had a complete season worthy of being ranked in the final AP Top 25 (No. 23 in 2013). That tidbit further explains why any news involving the words “Duke football” and “Top 25” is exciting for Duke fans.

In the Amway Coaches Poll, also released on Sunday, Duke received 13 votes. That puts the Blue Devils in the 13th spot on that poll’s list of “Others receiving votes” (the equivalent of being ranked No. 38).

Duke received nine votes in the Coaches Poll that came out after the first full week of the season and five votes in the Coaches Poll that came out in the preseason.

Even more impressive, though, Duke is now listed No. 20 on the Jeff Sagarin Ratings, which uses a computer rather than humans to determine the nation’s top teams.

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The Blue Devils, depleted by injuries suffered during their recent 21-7 win at Northwestern, will play their second-straight road game when they face the 2-0 Baylor Bears (currently not receiving any votes in either major poll) at 3:30 p.m. EST on Saturday.

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