I said before the season started Duke wouldn't be a push over. I don't envision this to be a cakewalk. But Notre Dame represents the best team Duke will have played in their first six games. Elko has turned them around quickly. THey were terrible the last two years of Cutcliffe being coach. But, 9-4 last year, bowl win vs Central Florida. This year, 5-0 with a resounding win over Clemson. You can argue their competition outside of Clemson has been subpar (and it has) but they've basically blown out every one on their schedule.
There will be ALOT of Notre Dame fans at Wallace Wade. There was in 2019. I got my tickets a few weeks ago after Duke beat Clemson because I thought there was a very good chance both the Irish and Duke would be undefeated, or at worst each have one loss. This is an important rebound game for the Irish, mentally as much as physical. This is about maintaining focus, and putting last week in the rear view. Perhaps, in comparison to last year with Marshall being the follow up game to OSU, playing a quality opponent in a big game is more beneficial. I think they thought they could roll over Marshall last year and they were wrong. This about a chance to beat a quality top 15 opponent on the road. Duke isn't going to just lay down. They have a dual threat QB, and a physical defense.
For Duke, this like a Super Bowl of sorts with it being at home, playing Notre Dame and Gameday coming to Durham for the first time ever for football. But, their stock will never be higher for all of the fanfare surrounding the game and they deserve the recognition because they are a good football team.
