Week 8 of the 2025 college football season delivers a high-stakes ACC showdown as the No. 12 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6–0, 3–0 ACC) travel to face the Duke Blue Devils (4–2, 3–0 ACC) at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham. Georgia Tech is off to its best start since 2011, riding a six-game winning streak and eyeing a potential path to the ACC Championship Game. Duke, meanwhile, has quietly built momentum with a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 45–21 victory over Cal before its bye week. This matchup not only features two of the ACC’s hottest teams but also carries major implications for the conference title race. The series history leans heavily toward Georgia Tech, but Duke last defeated the Jackets in 2019, and the Blue Devils will look to end that drought in front of their home crowd.
How to watch: Date, time, venue, TV
- Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
- Kickoff time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming options: ESPN+, FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, DAZN, Paramount+, Peacock
- UK/International broadcast: Check local listings; Sky Sports often carries featured ACC games
Game analysis, preview and predictions
This game sets up as a clash of offensive identities and quarterback play. Georgia Tech’s Haynes King has been efficient and versatile, throwing for 971 yards with four touchdowns and one interception while also rushing for 440 yards and nine scores. His dual-threat ability has kept defenses off balance and allowed the Jackets to sustain drives with both tempo and explosiveness. Duke’s Darian Mensah has been one of the ACC’s most productive passers, already amassing 1,838 yards with 15 touchdowns against just two interceptions. His accuracy and command of the passing game give the Blue Devils a clear edge through the air, especially with wideout Cooper Barkate emerging as a reliable target with 475 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
The supporting casts will be critical. Georgia Tech leans on running back Nate Sheppard, who has 447 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while wideout Eric Rivers provides a vertical threat. Duke counters with a balanced attack that mixes Mensah’s passing with Sheppard’s ground production and a defense led by Vincent Anthony Jr., who has 6.5 sacks. Georgia Tech’s defense, anchored by linebacker Kyle Efford with 35 tackles, has been opportunistic but will be tested by Duke’s high-volume passing game.
Coaching tendencies could shape the outcome. Brent Key’s Jackets have thrived on early scoring bursts and quarterback-designed runs, while Duke has shown patience, often wearing down opponents with sustained drives before pulling away in the second half. The home-field advantage at Wallace Wade Stadium, combined with Duke’s rest from a bye week, could play a role in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, this matchup may hinge on whether Georgia Tech’s front seven can disrupt Mensah’s rhythm and limit explosive plays downfield. If King continues his dual-threat efficiency and the Jackets win the turnover battle, Georgia Tech can stay unbeaten. But if Duke’s passing attack finds its rhythm early and the defense contains King’s rushing lanes, the Blue Devils have the formula to pull off a statement win in the ACC race.