Pitt (4-4) vs #3 Notre Dame 8-0): 3:30 pm EST on NBC. This year’s matchup will mark the 68th meeting between Notre Dame and Pittsburgh, with the Irish holding a 46-20-1 series lead.
10 years ago almost to the day (11/2/2002), the 5th ranked Irish hosted Boston College, looking to build upon their 8-0 start. The Irish had a great defense, but just a mediocre offense and a poor passing game. The had lost that game 14-7 and finished the season 10-3.
This year people can’t help but make comparisons. The 3rd ranked Irish host Pitt, looking to build upon their 8-0 start. They have a great defense, a poor passing game, but this time a great rushing offense and a team that keeps winning the turnover battle.
Why ND should be concerned:
- Pitt is coming off a 47-17 win (to put it mildly) over Temple.
- Pitt Quarterback Tino Sunseri is ranked 8th in the nation in passing efficiency (13 TDs compared to just 2 INTS and completing over 70% of his passes) and has Pitt averaging over 280 yards passing per game. Furthermore, Sunseri is well-seasoned, making his 35th consecutive start this Saturday.
- Senior running back Ray Graham is the latest in great Panthers running backs in recent years (see eg., Philadelphia Eagles running backs LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis).
- Pitt head coach Paul Chryst (in his first year) restored the players’ names on their jerseys for the first time this year. He removed them indefinitely when he was hired in January…until the team proved it deserved otherwise.
Why Pitt Should be concerned:
- Notre Dame is coming off of a 30-13 win over Oklahoma (now ranked 12th).
- Manti Te’o leads the Irish with five interceptions (tied for most in a single season ever by a Notre Dame linebacker) and leads all FBS linebackers in interceptions (tied for second in interceptions overall).
- ND has the #2 scoring defense in the nation.
- Pitt may have won 2 of the last 3 meetings, but ND won the last one, which was the only one with Brian Kelly as the head coach (23-17 10/9/2010).
