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Notre Dame Football: Best and Worst Case Scenarios for 2018

By Sonny Martinez

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Brian Kelly the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gives instructions to his team during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl against the LSU Tigers at LP Field on December 30, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Brian Kelly the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gives instructions to his team during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl against the LSU Tigers at LP Field on December 30, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ANNAPOLIS, MD – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Pat Narduzzi of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on during the second half against the Navy Midshipmen during the Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2015 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Pat Narduzzi of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on during the second half against the Navy Midshipmen during the Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2015 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Pitt

Best: Keeping in line with last year (as well as most of the Par Narduzzi era) Pitt remains all over the place. The Panthers still have trouble scoring, where they scored just 287 points last season. The lack of explosive play makers at all skill positions, combined with helplessness in the red zone allow for the Irish defense to dominate. The game ends up being the best defensive showing of the season against Power Five opponents.

The Irish offense move the ball efficiently against a good Pitt defense, and win a game where the score does not tell the true story.

Worst: Pitt plays more like it did against Miami, and less like against North Carolina and Syracuse. With 13 of the top 15 tacklers back, Pitt’s defensive experience helps slow down the Irish offense. The quarterback situation is resolved, and finally a running back emerges that can finally make a dent in what James Connor did a few years ago.

It’s bowling shoe ugly, but Notre Dame comes out with the win.

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