Notre Dame football: Picks, predictions vs Pitt Panthers

The Notre Dame football team is heading to Pittsburgh this weekend for their first road game of the 2020 season.

The Notre Dame football team is 4-0 and is ranked third in the latest AP Poll. This weekend, the Irish are hitting the road for the first time this season.

Notre Dame is heading to Pittsburgh to face a Panthers squad that always plays them tough. The last eight meetings between these two teams have been decided by an average of 5.5 points. That stretch also included a triple-overtime game and a quadruple overtime game.

The last five times the Panthers played against a ranked Irish team, they have covered the spread four times. Currently, the point spread for this game is Notre Dame – 10.5 points.

All signs point to this game being very close in the fourth quarter. Here is how some of our writers think the game will play out.

Andrew Hall (@andrewdouglash)

If Kenny Pickett was healthy, the Irish might find themselves with a significant challenge this Saturday afternoon. Notre Dame will still face a tough defense who matches up well against them. However, the Pittsburgh offense will not push Notre Dame enough to pull off the upset. The Irish offense finds enough points to win.

Notre Dame 21, Pittsburgh 13.

Carlee North (@IrishDaily10)

Regardless of the talent on Pittsburgh’s roster each year, Notre Dame always seems to play down to their level (no disrespect). Honestly, I don’t see that changing this week after last week’s offensive performance against Louisville. I have to see more from the Irish offense to boost my confidence for the rest of the season.

This week isn’t a great matchup against a Pittsburgh defense that likes to get in your face and play press coverage. I expect the Panthers to absolutely load the box to stop the Notre Dame run game as well.

The only thing that makes me think the Irish can pull away late is their defense. I don’t see a way that the Pittsburgh offense can outscore the Irish especially if starting quarterback Kenny Pickett is sidelined or hobbled.

Notre Dame 24, Pittsburgh 13.

Daniel Morrison (@Dan_Morrison96)

This is going to be an ugly game. I mean that in a (mostly) good way. Pittsburgh’s strength is its defensive line. Notre Dame’s strength is its offensive line. Both have elite safety play in Kyle Hamilton and Paris Ford.

Both have questionable but experienced quarterbacks in Ian Book and Kenny Pickett. There’s not going to be many points to be found. In the end, Notre Dame is just more talented. Still, it’ll be a low scoring brawl.

Notre Dame 20, Pittsburgh 13.

Jack Leniart (@Leniart_ND)

As is usually the case when Notre Dame plays Pittsburgh, most Irish fans are preparing themselves for a frustrating, low-scoring game. This will be Notre Dame’s first road game of the season and their toughest opponent thus far.

The Irish offense will need to find a way to score more points than they did last weekend against Louisville. If they can take care of the ball and be efficient in the red zone, they should walk away from this game 5-0. I think the Notre Dame defense stops a late Pittsburgh drive to seal the win.

Notre Dame 24, Pittsburgh 20.