The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (8-3 overall, 4-3 ACC) travel to face the Duke Blue Devils (6-5 overall, 5-2 ACC) in the 105th edition of the Victory Bell rivalry, closing out the regular season for both ACC foes. This Tobacco Road tilt at Wallace Wade Stadium pits Wake’s high-octane, run-heavy attack against Duke’s opportunistic defense, with the Deacons eyeing a strong finish to their bounce-back year under first-year head coach Jake Dickert. Duke, thriving at home under Manny Diaz, aims to extend a three-game winning streak in the series and secure a favorable bowl projection. Bragging rights and the bell are up for grabs in a matchup where recent history favors the hosts, but Wake’s late-season surge could flip the script.
Venue and Logistics
Location: Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, North Carolina (capacity: 40,004). This historic venue, opened in 1929 and renovated in 2014, features a passionate Blue Devil crowd and a pristine grass surface that rewards disciplined offenses. Nestled on Duke’s West Campus, it offers a compact, intimidating atmosphere with excellent sightlines—expect rowdy students in the “Blue Devil Deck” to crank up the noise. Wake’s short drive from Winston-Salem (about 80 miles) keeps travel light, but the rivalry’s intensity will test mental fortitude.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET. The afternoon kickoff on ACC Network allows for a sun-soaked showdown, with pregame festivities including the Victory Bell presentation. Broadcast crew features Wes Durham on play-by-play, alongside analysts.
Weather Updates
Durham’s late-November forecast delivers crisp fall conditions ideal for football. Kickoff temps hover around 52°F under partly cloudy skies, dropping to 42°F by game’s end, with a 20% chance of light showers in the morning giving way to dry air. Winds from the north at 8-10 mph won’t factor much, and humidity sits at 55%—perfect for ball security on the grass. No delays expected, though a brief chill could favor Duke’s ground-and-pound style over Wake’s spread option.
Injury Report
Both teams enter relatively healthy after bye weeks, but depth pieces are sidelined, forcing reliance on starters. Wake’s backfield takes a minor hit, while Duke’s line and secondary have question marks.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons:
RB David Egbe (Undisclosed): Out; rotational back with 245 rush yards and 3 TDs, missed last two games.
WR Ian VerSteeg (Lower Leg): Out for season; slot receiver (28 catches, 320 yards) lost in October.
WR Wesley Stroebel (Concussion): Out; depth option with special teams duties.
QB Elijiah Oehlke (Shoulder): Out; backup who saw mop-up action earlier.
LB L. White (Knee): Questionable; 35 tackles, 4 TFLs—limited practice this week.
DE Ajongo (Knee): Out for season; edge rusher with 22 tackles and 5 sacks, a big loss for pass rush.
WR Chris Barnes (Hamstring): Questionable; 22 receptions, 285 yards—his status could open underneath routes.
Other Notes: Overall, 8 players on the report per ACC availability, but starters like QB Robby Ashford are fully cleared.
Duke Blue Devils:
OG J. Brown (Undisclosed): Questionable; starter protecting the blindside, missed Virginia game.
LB Tre Freeman (Lower Leg): Probable; team leader (68 tackles, 7 TFLs) progressing in rehab, expected back after bye.
WR Andrel Anthony (Ankle): Questionable; speed threat (18 catches, 240 yards, 2 TDs) limited but hopeful.
TE Landan Callahan (Shoulder): Probable; blocking specialist with red-zone value.
Other Notes: Duke’s report lists 5-6 players, per coaching updates—defense largely intact, but OL depth tested if Brown sits.
Injuries lean toward conservative schemes, with Wake’s absences amplifying QB Ashford’s dual-threat role.
Player Matchups to Watch
This game’s pulse lies in quarterback battles and how Duke’s front contains Wake’s rushing attack. Pivotal one-on-ones:
Wake QB Robby Ashford vs. Duke Secondary (Led by S Jaylen Stinson): Ashford (1,827 pass yds, 58.5% comp, 7 TDs, 6 INTs; 460 rush yds, 6 TDs) is a nightmare for defenses, averaging 46 rush ypg. Stinson (52 tackles, 4 INTs) headlines a ball-hawking group (top-30 nationally in turnovers forced), but Ashford’s legs could exploit gaps if Duke overcommits to the run.
Duke QB Maalik Murphy vs. Wake Pass Rush (Led by DE Jasiah Williams): Murphy (2,120 pass yds, 64% comp, 15 TDs, 5 INTs) has diced up ACC secondaries at home. Williams (28 tackles, 6.5 sacks) anchors a Deacs front ranking 40th in sacks (26 total)—pressure on Murphy’s quick release will be key to Wake’s upset bid.
Wake RB Justice Ellison vs. Duke Front Seven (Led by LB Barron Maddox): Ellison (892 rush yds, 9 TDs) powers Wake’s top-35 rush attack (168 ypg). Maddox (48 tackles, 6 TFLs) leads a stout unit allowing just 112 rush ypg—can Ellison break 100 yards to control clock?
Duke WR Jordan Moore vs. Wake CB Jalon Dendy: Moore (45 rec, 620 yds, 5 TDs) is Duke’s go-to target. Dendy (3 INTs, 38 tackles) is physical but susceptible to fades; this battle could swing red-zone efficiency.
Matchups tilt toward Duke’s home defense, but Ashford’s mobility gives Wake explosive upside.
Team Recent Forms
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: A resurgent campaign after a down 2024, with Dickert instilling discipline in a run-first offense. Started hot with non-con wins before ACC turbulence. Key results: W 10-9 vs. Kennesaw State, W 42-10 vs. Western Carolina, L 34-24 vs. NC State, L 30-29 OT vs. Georgia Tech, W 28-17 vs. Virginia Tech, W 31-24 vs. Pittsburgh, L 20-16 at Clemson, W 24-21 vs. Stanford, W 35-14 vs. Boston College, L 27-24 at Florida State, W 16-9 vs. No. 14 Virginia. Recent Form (Last 5): 3-2, averaging 24.6 ppg scored and 20.2 allowed—offense clicking (top-50 rush at 168 ypg), defense opportunistic with 14 turnovers forced.
Duke Blue Devils: Diaz’s second year yields bowl security and a top-4 ACC defense, though offense sputtered midseason. Opened strong: W 45-17 vs. Elon, L 19-45 vs. Illinois, W 28-20 at Tulane, W 24-14 vs. NC State, W 31-20 vs. Northwestern, W 27-17 vs. Florida State, L 21-17 at Georgia Tech, W 34-24 vs. Boston College, L 28-24 at SMU, W 20-17 vs. Syracuse, W 23-21 vs. Pittsburgh. Recent Form (Last 5): 3-2, averaging 25.4 ppg scored and 21.0 allowed—balanced, with home wins fueling momentum (3-2 at Wade).
Wake’s form edges recent efficiency, but Duke’s ACC mark screams contender status.
Series History
The Victory Bell rivalry dates to 1888, with Duke holding a commanding 61-41-2 all-time edge through 2024. The Blue Devils dominated post-WWII (45-15 from 1948-2007), but Wake surged lately, winning 4 of the last 10. Duke has claimed the last three (2022: 38-10; 2023: 24-14; 2024: 31-28), including a 2024 thriller in Winston-Salem. At Wallace Wade: Duke 32-18-1. Average score: Duke 25.2, Wake 19.8. Recent tilts trend high-scoring (O/U in 6 of last 8, avg. 52.4 pts)—expect another barnburner.
Betting Trends
Wake Forest: 6-5 ATS overall (54.5%), 4-2 ATS as road dogs. Public 52% on Wake ML (underdog value), overs in 7 of 11 (63.6%). Road ACC: 3-1 ATS last 4.
Duke: 7-4 ATS (63.6%), 4-2 ATS at home. 53.5% implied win prob on ML. Unders in 6 of last 8 home games (75%), but series overs in 75% of last 8. Sharp money on Duke spread (62% handle), public split on total (55% over).
Head-to-Head: Duke 5-3 ATS last 8; totals lean over (avg. 52.4 combined pts).
Trends favor a close, moderate-scoring affair, with Duke’s home ATS strength undervalued.
Game Odds
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 53.5
Duke Blue Devils – 1
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
