Predictions: Pittsburgh-Notre Dame

September 24, 2011; Pittsburgh,PA, USA: Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Tino Sunseri (12) passes under pressure by Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Manti Te

Pittsburgh Panthers

November 3, 2012 at 3:30 pm

TV: NBC

Last Meeting (2011): Notre Dame 15-Pittsburgh 12

Line: Notre Dame (-17.0)

Lead Editor Andrew Hall: Pittsburgh 10-Notre Dame 24

Staff Writer Nick Combs: Pittsburgh 9-Notre Dame 35

Staff Writer Tim Colin: TBA

Podcast Co-Host Brett Arney: Pittsburgh 3-Notre Dame 24

Pittsburgh has enough talent to threaten anyone in the country. It truly depends whether or not they can put it all together on a given day. They rank 59th in the nation scoring 29.0 points per game, which is 2.6 points higher than the output from the Fighting Irish this season. The Panthers are near the bottom high in rushing averaging 150.38 yards per game. This does not bode well for the Panthers because the Irish are already fierce against the run. Pittsburgh is near the top of the pack in passing yards per game, however, with 281.5 yards per game. These two averages bring Pittsburgh to a total of 431.9 and 44th in the country. The Panthers are not a juggernaut but they are a formidable Offense that should not be taken lightly by the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame will have its hands full stopping this Offense on Saturday. If the Panthers can maintain a balanced approach, they should have an excellent opportunity at moving the ball on the Irish. Notre Dame has one of the best defenses in the nation. So far, they have forced teams into being one dimensional. Notre Dame will attempt to shut down the Panthers running game on Saturday and force Sunseri to win the game for the Panthers. Although Sunseri is having an excellent and efficient season at Quarterback, he may not be able to stand up the pressure that the Fighting Irish will bring if the Panthers prove to be one dimensional.

Overall, Pittsburgh does not have players that are physically imposing specimens (like Tuitt). What they do have is sound football players that do their job and make plays. They are undersized, but to this point in the season have played good defense. Pitt should give Notre Dame a hard time on Offense and it could end up being a slow start for the Irish.