Drop the gloves and the textbooks. Duke and Northwestern are already trading blows.

Prior to the team’s showdown in Durham, NC this week, Northwestern defensive lineman Ifeadi Odenigbo drew first blood. He told the Chicago Tribune that “we expect to have a shutout next week.”

The No. 23/24 Wildcats, of course, earned a spot in both polls for the first time after two dominant defensive performances. The Cats haven’t allowed a touchdown in either of their two victories to start the season. Still, the Cats are a 3-point underdog at Duke on Saturday.

Duke running back Shaun Wilson wasn’t a fan of Odenigbo’s expectations.

https://twitter.com/To_Dope1/status/643440167504752640

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Wilson helped lead the Blue Devils to an average of 46 points per game so far. Duke actually hasn’t been shut out since 2008 and is coming off a shutout of its own.

The Wildcats did win 24-20 the last time they squared off with Duke in 2008. What hasn’t Northwestern done in the Pat Fitzgerald era?

Shut out a Power Five conference team. Or shut out a team on the road.