Panthers' ACC Coastal Division hopes remain alive with Duke win

Pitt's seventh win of the season, a 31-13 victory against Duke, officially ended the program's string of four consecutive six-win years under Todd Graham and Paul Chryst. More importantly, it kept the team's chances alive to still win the ACC Coastal Division.

The Panthers need a lot of help for that to happen. They need 8-1 North Carolina to lose at least two of its remaining three games. Then, Pitt also needs to defeat at least Miami or Louisville - and more likely, both of them. But for now, the Panthers will still have an outside chance to represent the Division in the conference championship game and they aren't eliminated just yet.

A North Carolina win today and one next week would clinch things for the Tar Heels.

Personally, it's difficult to imagine Pitt still winning the Division. It's not so much the likely needing to win out as much as it is seeing North Carolina lose two more games. The Tar Heels have looked nearly invincible to date, losing only a season-opening contest against South Carolina. And with remaining games left against Miami (in progress), North Carolina State, and Virginia Tech, running the table is very much a possibility.

Still, the Panthers remain in the Division race and have a chance for at least another week.

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