ANALYSIS: Mario vs. Manny Bowl will see a Duke team built with key portal pieces that has eked out some close wins

by:Matt Shodell•about 8 hours•

canesport

duke-coach-manny-diaz-previews-matchup-vs-smu-rhett-lashlee — Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz runs out onto the field before the game against the Elon Phoenix at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Mario vs. Manny Bowl is up next for the high-flying Miami Hurricanes. And maybe this won't be quite as much a pushover opponent in Duke as many anticipated when the season kicked off. Despite players leaving the Blue Devils in droves after Mike Elko took the Texas A&M job, with 17 departing to destinations ranging from Georgia, Notre Dame and Auburn to Virginia Tech and NC State, this is a team that's fared better than expected.