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Michigan State football: Power ranking head coaching candidates after Week 4

By Connor Muldowney

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 04: Head coach Mike Elko of the Duke Blue Devils congratulates Todd Pelino #29 following his field goal against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 4, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 04: Head coach Mike Elko of the Duke Blue Devils congratulates Todd Pelino #29 following his field goal against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 4, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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Sep 23, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko reacts to a play from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko reacts to a play from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

One of the top names on everyone’s boards had an impressive week with a blowout road win. Mike Elko’s Blue Devils went on the road and beat UConn 41-7 and rose a spot in the AP Top 25 to No. 17. It looks like he has a legit ACC title-contending squad.

Outside of Florida State, it looks like Elko and the Blue Devils may have the best chance to represent the ACC in the College Football Playoff. That feels wild to say.

Duke has been a basketball school forever, but Elko has changed that almost overnight.

In fact, Duke had 10 total wins in the three years before Elko and he led the program to nine wins in year one and now the Blue Devils are 4-0 with a No. 17 ranking after Week 4. They also have a chance to make some serious noise in the playoff race against No. 11 Notre Dame this weekend.

If Elko can draw up the game plan to beat Notre Dame on Saturday, he may just be cemented in the No. 1 spot in these power rankings.

I don’t think anyone would be mad at this hire.

Next. 5 candidates to replace Mel Tucker as head coach. dark

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