On3 national college football writer Pete Nakos released what programs he believes have the easiest and most difficult non-conference schedules next season, and Nakos put Duke atop the toughest in the nation. The list included 11 programs with the hardest non-con slates in the country.
"Manny Diaz has his quarterback of the future in Darian Mensah, but the Blue Devils have a notable nonconference slate," Nakos said. "Duke opens the year at home against Elon, then hosts Illinois in one of the top nonconference matchups of the college football season. The Blue Devils then hit the road for games at Tulane and UConn — two programs that both made bowl games in 2024.