Cincinnati's secondary is Pitt's primary concern in preparation for tomorrow night, when the No. 20 Panthers (7-2, 3-1 Big East) visit Nippert Stadium for a huge conference clash with the 19th-ranked Bearcats.

That's because the Bearcats (8-2, 4-1) feature three of the Big East's best defensive players in cornerbacks DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens and safety Brandon Underwood.

The trio has combined to intercept seven passes and break up 19 others, and all three are among the team's six leading tacklers. Mickens, who is a four-year starter and has been an all-Big East selection three times, leads the Bearcats with 65 tackles, 43 of them solo.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said it is no secret that Cincinnati's secondary is loaded.

"[Cincinnati] has the most talented secondary without a doubt in our conference, and it has to be one of the most talented secondaries in the country," Wannstedt said. "They have two corners and a safety who will all be in NFL camps and they back it up by their production, the interceptions, the passes knocked down."

The Bearcats rely on their trio of secondary players to do a lot of different things, but their top priority is covering receivers.

And since all three have played extensively the past few seasons, Pitt's receivers are familiar with them and know that finding openings in the defense and making plays in the passing game tomorrow night will not be easy.

"We've been playing against those guys for a few years and they were good back then and they have only had time to mature," receiver T.J. Porter said. "Their two cornerbacks are great football players, and they've been playing together for a few years now so they pretty much know what they are doing back there and they do a lot of things well.

"Mike Mickens is a little more of a lockdown coverage guy, but what DeAngelo Smith may lack in coverage skills he makes up for with his physical abilities. They are both complete corners. We have emphasized paying attention to detail this week because those guys are so good, every little thing we do is going to be important to do it right."

Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh said the secondary is not the only part of the defense that is experienced, which is why they've been so tough to score on. The Bearcats are giving up an average of only 20.7 points per game, but that number is skewed a bit by the 92 total points allowed in losses to Oklahoma and Connecticut.

Taking those two games out of the equation, the Bearcats have only given up an average of 14.4 points per game in their other eight games.

Cavanaugh said when playing against a veteran defense -- Cincinnati has 10 seniors starting -- nothing is going to come easy.

"It seems like it has been a couple of years now that we've been watching these guys," Cavanaugh said. "I remember two or three years ago looking at their depth chart and saying, 'Wow, they are all sophomores,' and I knew someday it was going to click for them, and it is clicking for them right now. They are playing very well on defense, they are sound up front, they have good linebackers and obviously a very good secondary.

"The secondary is very dangerous. Both corners are very good at reading the quarterback and breaking on throws; their safeties cover a lot of ground. It will be a big challenge but not just for our receivers, for our quarterbacks and tight ends. We have to be able to protect long enough to take advantage of some of the coverages we will see."

Pitt quarterback Bill Stull will have most of the pressure on his shoulders this week. Not only does he have to be near-perfect in throwing, but he also has to get rid of the ball quickly because the Bearcats feature an attacking and aggressive front seven.

He said the key will be to maintain his poise and avoid game-changing mistakes.

"Turnovers are going to be the key," Stull said. "Their secondary is tops among the teams we've played, no doubt. Pretty much their whole defensive backfield is already been said to be going to be getting drafted or going to be getting great looks from the NFL. They are great football players and we have been playing against them for a while.

"They have some real good guys back there and so it will be a challenge and like I said before, turnovers are going to be the key. We have to make sure we make smart plays and make sure no turnovers happen."