The Pitt Panthers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will hook up for the 70th time Saturday, continuing a series that has produced some great moments over time.
Pitt is off to its best start since 2009, but are looking to bounce back from a 26-19 loss to North Carolina last Thursday.
After escaping Temple on Saturday, the Irish checked in at No. 5 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, so they’re firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot as the regular season winds down.
These two teams have played some very close games in the past as the past six meetings have been decided by an average of 4.5 points.
Who has the advantage?
Let’s take a look.
When: Saturday, November 7
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Time: Noon, EST
Watch: ABC
Spread: Notre Dame (-8.5)
Series History:
Series Began: 1909
Series Overall: ND leads 47-21-1
At Pittsburgh: ND leads 26-11-1
At Notre Dame: ND leads 21-10
At Neutral Sites: DNA
OT Games: Series tied, 1-1
Last Meeting at Pitt: Nov. 9, 2013 (Pitt 28, Notre Dame 21)
Last Meeting at ND: Nov. 3, 2012 (Notre Dame 29, Pitt 26, 3OT)
Current Series Streak: Pitt has won 1 (2013)
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 (6-2, 4-1 ACC):
1. Limit the Big Play- The Pitt defense has been pretty good in year one under Pat Narduzzi, but they gave up a bunch of big plays last week against North Carolina. They Panthers’ secondary will face an even bigger challenge in ND wide receiver Will Fuller, who is averaging 20.2 yards per reception and already has nine touchdowns, six of them of 30 yards or more. Pitt corners Lafayette Pitts and Avonte Maddox have struggled at times lately and they must be very good this week. Some of their struggles have resulted in Pitt not being able to get to the quarterback, but the Panthers’ corners must bring their A-game to win.
2. Get big plays from the offense- The Panthers offense has been ultra conservative and they must find a way to make big plays. Tyler Boyd is catching a lot of footballs but most are around the line of scrimmage. The Panthers need to find a way to not only break big runs in the running game, but also stretch the field with the pass. Quarterback Nate Peterman’s longest pass of the season is only 42 yards, which he completed against Georgia Tech. To win the Panthers need to get a few explosive plays from their offense. That will be easier said than done against this ND defense.
3. Win the battle of the trenches- The Pitt offensive line has some experience and will need it against a very good Notre Dame front. Isaac Rochelle was dominant from the start against Temple and Sheldon Day had another outstanding performance. Daniel Cage and Romeo Okwara also will be tough to stop. Pitt needs to protect Peterman and dominate the line of scrimmage on running downs.
Keys for Notre Dame:
1. Stay balanced- The Irish have the superior quarterback and the running back in this on in DeShone Kizer and C.J. Prosise. Notre Dame is averaging 5.9 yards per carry, while Kizer is continuously growing into a nice signal caller in his first year as a starter. Throw in Will Fuller on the outside and the Irish should have too many weapons for the Panthers to contend with.
2. Score touchdowns- Pitt has had trouble scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Notre Dame can’t have the same problems. ND ranks 99th in the country in red-zone conversions, coming away with points on 78.8 percent of its trips inside its opponent’s 20-yard line. Notre Dame’s red-zone touchdown rate of 57.6 percent is 85th in the nation. Kizer tossed a pair of picks in the red zone last week. If the Irish don’t come away with touchdowns when they get the opportunity, they can probably kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
3. Start fast- The Panthers have come out slow the past couple of weeks and it cost them against UNC. Pitt been outscored 112-105 in the first half through eight games this season, including an 86-48 deficit in the second quarter. Notre Dame needs to jump on Pitt right from the opening kickoff. If they build a double-digit lead early, it could be awfully tough for Pitt as their offense isn’t made to play catch up. Throw in the fact that Notre Dame hasn’t had a noon kickoff in the regular season since playing at Pitt in 2011 and the Irish will need to be ready from the jump.
Prediction: I really think that Pitt will bounce back nicely, but unfortunately I don’t think it will be enough. Games between these two teams are always close and this has trap game written all over it for the Irish, but Notre Dame will survive a scare. Too many weapons and I don’t think Pitt will be able to do enough offensively. Notre Dame 27, Pitt 23
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
