DURHAM, N.C. -- Seven home games including dates with reigning ACC champion Clemson and rival North Carolina highlight the 2012 Duke football schedule released by the ACC office on Monday afternoon.

Duke’s 12 opponents combined for a 2011 overall record of 88-66 (.571) while 10 of the 11 FBS teams reached bowl eligibility. Four schools – Stanford (7th), Virginia Tech (21st), Clemson (22nd) and Florida State (23rd) – were ranked in last season’s final Associated Press poll while a fifth squad, Virginia, was among others receiving votes.

Under the direction of head coach David Cutcliffe, the Blue Devils will open the 2012 season at home against FIU on September 1. One week later, the Blue Devils travel to Palo Alto, Calif., to meet Stanford. Duke then returns home for consecutive non-league contests against N.C. Central (September 15) and Memphis (September 22).

Duke will play eight straight ACC games beginning with a trip to Winston-Salem to meet Wake Forest on September 29. The slate in October features home affairs with Virginia (October 6) and North Carolina (October 20) and road tilts at Virginia Tech (October 13) and Florida State (October 27).

Reigning conference champion Clemson will visit Wallace Wade Stadium on November 3 and, following an open week, the Blue Devils close the season on the road at Georgia Tech (November 17) and at home versus Miami (November 24).

Duke’s eight conference foes combined for a 2011 league ledger of 39-25 (.609) – the highest winning percentage of any ACC schedule for 2012.

Duke returns 44 lettermen and 17 starters for Cutcliffe’s fifth squad. The Blue Devils are in the midst of spring practice and will host the program’s annual Spring Game on Saturday, March 31 at Wallace Wade Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at www.GoDuke.com or by calling the Duke Athletic Ticket Office at 1-877-375-3853.

2012 Duke Football Schedule (2011 Record; Bowl game)

SEPTEMBER

1 – FIU (8-5; Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl)
8 – at Stanford (11-2; Tostitos Fiesta Bowl)
15 – N.C. CENTRAL (2-9)
22 – MEMPHIS (2-10)
29 – at Wake Forest (6-7; Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl)

OCTOBER

6 – VIRGINIA (8-5; Chick-fil-A Bow)
13 – at Virginia Tech (11-3; Allstate Sugar Bowl)
20 – NORTH CAROLINA (7-6; AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl)
27 – at Florida State (9-4; Champs Sports Bowl)

NOVEMBER

3 – CLEMSON (10-4; Discover Orange Bowl)
10 – Open
17 – at Georgia Tech (8-5; Hyundai Sun Bowl)
24 – MIAMI (6-6)