Notre Dame vs. Pitt: Preview, Prediction, TV info and more
By Matt Shetler
Keys for Notre Dame
Sep 28, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman
Aaron Donald(97) during the fourth quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh defeated Virginia 14-3. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
1. Talk the talk and walk the walk: Pitt tight end J.P. Holtz called Notre Dame cocky this week, saying “Personally I don’t like Notre Dame at all,” Holtz said. “It’s going to make me play harder. I just think they are real cocky and their coaches are real cocky so I just don’t like that.” That may be a common opinion of Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, but he’s walked the walk in the past, posting a 5-1 career record against Pitt.
2. Block Aaron Donald: Pitt needs a game changer and the All-American candidate Donald is that guy. Last week he turned in maybe his best career performance when he compiled 11 tackles (all solo), six TFLs, two forced fumbles and a sack. If Notre Dame can’t contain him, Donald can make a game-changing play that could lead to a Pitt upset.
3. Pressure Tom Savage: Savage has a cannon and has weapons in Devin Street and Tyler Boyd, but he can’t get them the ball when he is flat on his back. Savage has been sacked 29 times already (fifth most in the nation) and has been under pressure three times that number. If Notre dame is in the Pitt quarterbacks face all game, they will likely force a couple mistakes that could lead to victory.
Prediction: This series has been filled with close games as the past five contests have been decided by four points or less with two of the games going to overtime. This game could be like that for a while, but I just don’t have confidence in Pitt to be consistent enough to come away with a win. Notre Dame 24, Pitt 20