Pittsburgh @ Duke preview

Pittsburgh will play its first-ever ACC road game on Saturday and its seems only fitting that it would be at Duke. While this is the first time the two schools have met in a league game, the series - which Pitt leads 9-8 - does have some history behind it. The Panthers were the opponent for the Blue Devils in the very first game played in Wallace Wade Stadium on Oct. 5, 1929 and came away with a 52-7 victory.

Duke is coming off a 38-14 ACC home loss to Georgia Tech last week but is 6-3 in its last nine home games. Pitt, which lost its conference and season opener 41-13 at home to Florida State on Labor Day, bounced back with an impressive 49-27 thrashing of New Mexico last week. The Panthers led that one 35-6 at halftime and rolled up 388 yards in total offense by intermission.

TIME: 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network/ESPN3. LINE: Pittsburgh -4.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (1-1, 0-1 ACC): The Panthers compiled 527 total yards in the blowout win over New Mexico, including 283 yards rushing. James Conner and Isaac Bennett both topped the century mark on the ground, the first time since 2007 that Pitt had two 100-yard rushers in the same game. Pitt's defense held Lobo running back Kasey Carrier, who entered the game leading the nation in rushing with an average of 172.5 yards per game, to 22 yards on seven carries.

ABOUT DUKE (2-1, 0-1): The Blue Devils will be glad to play a team that doesn't run the triple-option after getting carved up by Georgia Tech, which rushed for 344 yards and controlled the ball for over 38 minutes last week. Duke coach David Cutcliffe said junior Brandon Connette will remain the starter at quarterback despite completing 15-of-28 passes for only 112 yards and no touchdowns in his first start of the season last week. Connette replaced starter Anthony Boone, who broke his collarbone on a run in Duke's 28-14 victory over Memphis on Sept. 7.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Pitt freshman WR Tyler Boyd was named ACC Receiver of the Week after catching six passes for 134 yards and one touchdown against New Mexico.

2. Duke is 19-2 when leading after three quarters under Cutcliffe.

3. Pitt DT Aaron Donald is tied for the national lead in sacks with an average of 1.5 per game.

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 27, Duke 20