After playing in the third longest game in NCAA history, the Tennessee football team could use an off week.

Playing Duke may be close enough.

The Blue Devils have won only four games in the past four seasons, but according to UT senior linebacker Robert Peace, Tennessee can’t take Duke lightly.

“I am glad Duke is on the schedule, but we can’t just go out and act like we don’t have a game,” Peace said. “They have some things offensively that are going to challenge us, so we’re going to have to be ready to go.”

Peace and the rest of the Vols may have good reasons to respect the Blue Devils. In its last game, Duke took Heisman hopeful Phillip Rivers and North Carolina State down to the wire, narrowly losing 28-21.

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said the ACC’s traditional cellar-dwellers are looking better with interim head coach Ted Roof.

“There has been a coaching change, and now the Blue Devils are rejuvenated and excited,” Fulmer said. “Duke is going through a transition that seems to be working to its advantage.”

History also seems to be favoring the Devils. Duke actually is tied with the Vols in the all-time series 13-13-2.

Fulmer said regardless of recent history of Blue Devils, their play against NC State reflects the type of team they have.

“They basically just ran out of time,” Fulmer said. “They played hard and threw a lot of different things at (NC State). We have to be ready for that.”

Part of that preparation focuses on stopping the Devils’ ground game. Peace said after its performance against Alabama, the Vol defense – specifically the D-line – should be prepared.

“The defensive line played the best they’ve played all year,” Peace said. “They had a lot to do with the plays I made and they played hard.”

The defense will miss one of its captains Saturday, with safety Rashad Baker still nursing injuries suffered against the Crimson Tide. Freshman Corey Campbell will get his first collegiate start after recording interceptions in each of the last two games.

“He’s (Campbell) been thrown into the fire early,” UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “I think Duke will be a good test for him and our secondary.”

The Vols’ running game will have a new look as well. With starter Cedric Houston out, Jabari Davis will carry the load for what offensive coordinator Randy Sanders hopes is a balanced game for the offense.

“We are still trying to establish ourselves,” Sanders said. “We don’t have an identity crisis, we just need one side (passing or running) to step it up. Obviously we’ve done both well at times, but neither at the same time.

“We’re looking for that on Saturday.”

Sanders said he is looking for that identity to surface quickly with a trip to No. 2 Miami just a week away.

But Tennessee won’t be caught looking ahead, Fulmer said. He insisted the Vols recognize the danger of a Blue Devil upset.

“We’ve turned out attention to Duke,” Fulmer said. “We’ll worry about the rest of the schedule on Sunday.”