The last time Pitt and Notre Dame met, the Fighting Irish had to pull out an overtime victory to avoid an upset and keep their national title hopes alive. This time around, the stakes aren’t nearly as high, but it’s a game both teams need to win nonetheless.
After starting the year 3-1, the Panthers have lost three of their last four games and need to get things straightened out if they want to make a bowl game for the sixth straight season.
Pitt still needs two more wins to become bowl eligible, so winning Saturday night is crucial with North Carolina, Syracuse and Miami on the schedule, which may be a difficult task with a loss.
As for Notre Dame, they won’t be playing for a BCS Championship this season, but still have an outside chance of landing in a BCS bowl. A loss Saturday night would destroy any chances of that.
The Pitt-Notre Dame series is filled with historic moments.
Will Saturday night produce one more classic?
Let’s take a look.
When: Saturday, October 9
Where: Heinz Field
Time: 8:00 pm EST
Watch: ABC
Spread: Notre Dame (-4.5)
Series History:
Series Began: 1909
Series Overall: ND leads 47-20-1
At Pittsburgh: ND leads 26-10-1
At Notre Dame: ND leads 21-10
OT Games: Series tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 3, 2012 (Notre Dame 29, Pitt 26, 3OT)
Last Meeting at Pitt: Sept. 24, 2011 (Notre Dame 15, Pitt 12)
Current Series Streak: Notre Dame has won 3 (2010-12)
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 3 games (three times, last: 1983, ‘86-87)
Longest Notre Dame Series Win Streak: 11 games (1964-74)
Largest Pitt Victory Margin: 26 points (26-0, 1936)
Largest Notre Dame Victory Margin: 58 points (58-0, 1944)
Keys for Pitt:
1. Where’s the O? The Panthers have to get the offense going and more importantly score some points. Since putting up 58 points against duke, Pitt has just scored 54combined points against their last four FBS opponents. Not being able to get the ball in the end zone consistently will kill any hopes of a Pitt upset.
2. Slow down Rees: After seeing the triple option two weeks in a row, the Pitt defense will have to stare down a red hot Tommy Rees. The Notre Dame offense has been very balanced as they also ran for 264 yards against Navy. But Rees has thrown seven touchdown passes in his last two games. The Panthers must make the Fighting Irish offense one dimensional and can’t let Rees pick them apart.
3. Run the football: If Tom Savage has to throw it too much, the Pitt offensive line will get him killed. That being said, the Panthers need a big game on the ground from both Isaac Bennett and James Connor. If Pitt can’t run the football, they can’t win.
Keys for Notre Dame
1. Talk the talk and walk the walk: Pitt tight end J.P. Holtz called Notre Dame cocky this week, saying “Personally I don’t like Notre Dame at all,” Holtz said. “It’s going to make me play harder. I just think they are real cocky and their coaches are real cocky so I just don’t like that.” That may be a common opinion of Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly as Kelly has walked the walk in the past posting a 5-1 career record against Pitt.
2. Block Aaron Donald: Pitt needs a game changer and the All-American candidate Donald is that guy. Last week he turned in maybe his best career performance when he compiled 11 tackles (all solo), six TFLs, two forced fumbles and a sack. If Notre Dame can’t contain him, Donald can make a game-changing play that could lead to a Pitt upset.
3. Pressure Tom Savage: Savage has a cannon and has weapons in Devin Street and Tyler Boyd, but he can’t get them the ball when he is flat on his back. Savage has been sacked 29 times already (fifth most in the nation) and has been under pressure three times that number. If Notre dame is in the Pitt quarterbacks face all game, they will likely force a couple mistakes that could lead to victory.
Prediction: This series has been filled with close games as the past five contests have been decided by four points or less with two of the games going to overtime. This game could be like that for a while, but I just don’t have confidence in Pitt to be consistent enough to come away with a win. Notre Dame 24, Pitt 20
Photo Credit: Notre Dame
