Duke falls in latest US LBM Coaches Poll

Duke football fell to No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 5 of the 2026 season. The team had a bye following a perfect 4-0 start, including a significant non-conference victory over Illinois in Week 2. Quarterback Nate Sheppard emerged as a standout player for Manny Diaz's squad, rushing for 644 yards and six touchdowns, and adding three more touchdowns through his passing.

The defense, led by Jonathan Patke, has been exceptional, restricting opponents to an average of 11.0 points per game, ranking sixth in the FBS. The Blue Devils will face Georgia Tech on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The full US LBM Coaches Poll is available below, with Duke listed at No. 23.