Maybe I'm falling into a trap with this line, but I picked Illinois to make the College Football Playoff before the season and a trip to Duke won't de-rail the train just yet. With a veteran-laden team, I think the Fighting Illini win a close one against an improving Duke squad. Illinois 26, Duke 20.
Illinois put up 52 last week but scored a TD on a punt return and busted a few explosive plays against an overmatched opponent. Neither will be as likely against a good Duke defense, and I don't know how well Duke's OL will hold up against the Illini defense, either.
