This ranked matchup is resulting in College GameDay coming to town and Notre Dame being on the big stage yet again. In a game that has been played many times before, Notre Dame and Pitt will meet on the field in what could be an epic showdown, or not, if you ask Pitt head coach Pat Marduzzi.
The Fighting Irish are fighting every single game in order to stay in contention for the College Football Playoff because a loss would most likely knock them out after two early losses this season. This game against Pitt could serve as another resume builder, as the Panthers are ranked, granted it is barely at No. 24, but a ranking is a ranking.
No. 10 Notre Dame vs. No. 24 Pitt odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Pitt: +10.5 (-105)
- Notre Dame: -10.5 (-115)
Moneyline
- Pitt: +330
- Notre Dame: -430
Total
- O/U: 55.5 (-108/-112)
No. 10 Notre Dame vs. No. 24 Pitt early prediction
Notre Dame is coming in as a solid favorite in this matchup, but after Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi's comments today in his press conference, it feels like maybe the Fighting Irish should be favored by a lot more.
Narduzzi actually said that this is not a must-win game for Pitt and he wouldn't care if Notre Dame dropped 100 points on the Panthers. In one way, that could sound like a coach that is focused on bigger things, like the ACC race; however, in another way, it could sound like Narduzzi is scared of the Fighting Irish.
The Notre Dame offense was humming against Navy, so much so that quarterback CJ Carr was able to be pulled in the third quarter for Kenny Minchey. If the run game can continue to be dominant and Carr keeps taking care of the football, this should be a great game for Notre Dame.
The defense has come a long way this season, and Chris Ash certainly got the hang of things as he went on. Notre Dame just has to keep that mentality of win or go home if they want a shot at the College Football Playoff and getting back to the National Championship.