Can Duke Beat Pitt?

[Inveigle]

Pittsburgh and Duke have both lost four of their last five games entering Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season finale in Durham, N.C.

The Blue Devils (6-5, 3-4) hope for home relief after losing 30-27 at Virginia last Saturday and 47-45 in double-overtime the previous week at North Carolina.


Duke is bowl eligible but on a downward spiral following a 4-0 start to the season.

“We have to very quickly try to figure out how to resolve it and fix it,” Duke coach Mike Elko said.

The Blue Devils, ranked for much of the season, won’t be able to repeat the nine-win season accomplished in 2022 in Elko’s first season.

“Obviously, a lot of people in our building and in our locker room want to make sure that this group goes out the right way on Saturday and has a really strong finish to what has been a really strong two years,” Elko said. “That kind of becomes a rallying cry for this week.”

Pitt (3-8, 2-5) halted a four-game skid by defeating Boston College 24-16 last Thursday in its home finale.

“Things haven’t gone our way in a lot of games, but I couldn’t be prouder of our football team,” Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said.

This will be their final game, but a positive outcome could help set the tone for the offseason.

“You have to focus,” Narduzzi said. “Just focus and take care of the details, and good things happen.”

Pitt will have quarterback Nate Yarnell at the controls for his third career start. He passed for 207 yards and a score and also rushed for a touchdown against Boston College.

“He protected the ball and gives you a chance to win a football game,” Narduzzi said. “He just takes care of the details.”

Pitt has won all seven meetings against Duke since Narduzzi became the head coach in 2015, including a 54-29 rout on the most recent trip to Durham in 2021.

Duke kicks off at Noon and is a -6 point favorite.

It's time to win this game.

My prediction:

Pitt 18
Duke 28

 

[Devilsforlife]

We cannot end the year losing back to back games to teams with a combined record of 5-16. I get that we are banged up and have suffered some severely disappointing losses, but we have to find a way to win this game. I am beyond sick of losing to Pitt, too. Get it done and generate a little bit of momentum heading into next year.

 

[Devilsforlife]

The seven game Pitt losing streak is dead at last. Our first home win over the Panthers since 1965. Undefeated at home in ACC play for the first time since 1989. This was a big win to avert a true tailspin.

We have now completed the cycle against our old Coastal foes, beating them all at home and away since the start of the Cut era.

GT - H: 2015, 2017, 2019, A: 2014, 2018
Miami - H: 2013, 2019, A: 2018, 2022
Pitt - H: 2023, A: 2014
VT - H: 2022, A: 2013, 2015, 2019
UNC - H: 2012, 2016, 2018, A: 2013, 2017
UVA - H: 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2022, A: 2009, 2013
Wake - H: 2014, 2022, 2023, A: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017

Cut knocked out most of them, but Elko finished it with VT last year and Pitt today. Sidenote: I like how UVA was the only Coastal team we could beat before 2012, but are now 1-8 in our last nine against them.

 

[DUKERULES14]

Didn't realize that it was the first time going und. at home in ACC play since 1989

Not the season we hoped for, but it is nice stats like this can keep showing in a small way progress.

Now need to win the transfer portal this offseason

 

[Inveigle]

I hope we can keep Elko and some key positions but if it’s not completely clear the number one priority is the OL. And guys who can tackle. My hats off to team Elko for keeping us competitive.

Let’s go Duke!