Going Scouting: Pitt's next opponent, the Duke Blue Devils

The Panthers have their own big game to deal with at high noon today when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pay a visit to Heinz Field. Many would wonder if Pitt will have anything left after last week's big ACC showdown with North Carolina and this one later today. Well, the team's next opponent is dealing with the same issue today.

Before Pitt travels to take on Duke one week from today, the Blue Devils will have to go a few miles down the road to face the North Carolina Tar Heels. While Pitt has to continue to win, Duke must try and bounce back from a huge let down last week to get up for a rivalry game and a game that will have a big hand in the outcome of the ACC Coastal.

I think we've all seen the highlight by now that gave the struggling Miami Hurricanes a heart pounding victory over Duke last week. I don't think Duke and head coach David Cutcliffe want to see that play ever again. Maybe getting back on the field is just what the Devils will need. They have dropped from the rankings and now play a Top 25 North Carolina squad today in Chapel Hill.

The bad news is that their kickoff is the same as Pitt and Notre Dame later today.  Both play at noon, so get your DVRs ready and you can do some scouting after the Irish and Panthers tangle at Heinz today. Finding the UNC-Duke rivalry today will be easy as it will be on national TV, on ESPN2. Duke is 6-2 (3-1 in the ACC) and North Carolina, after defeating the Panthers last week, is 7-1 (4-0 in the ACC). It's desperation time for Duke so let's see how they handle it.

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