Duke preparing for Alabama

With one week to go until the opener, Duke is preparing to face the Tide

Duke is one week out from its season opener, against Alabama in Atlanta.

Coach David Cutcliffe is looking forward to the team's opportunity on the big stage.

“We have known it has been sitting out there,” he said. “This is an opportunity that we have earned. It is different than just having something laid on the table and how you approach it. Everybody in this program, from senior to freshman, knows that we have earned this opportunity for a showcase ballgame.”

Coach Cut isn't focusing on the quality of the opponent, instead focusing on his own team.

“We have no way to control Alabama," he said. "We know that they are a national championship type of program. You have to become the team to match strength with strength. That is how you get better from these types of challenges. There is no weaknesses to find in Alabama, they are too well-coached and they are really gifted. You build yourself to attack strength vs strength and that is what we expect people to do when we get to Atlanta.”

(photo courtesy ACC)