A month ago, nobody would have envisioned a ranked Pittsburgh team with a real chance at winning the ACC. However, five straight victories have given the Panthers plenty of momentum heading into Week 12. They’ll face their toughest test of the season when #9 Notre Dame visits the Steel City. Can the Irish bolster their playoff chances with a win over an old-school rival?
Notre Dame enters this contest as 12.5-point favorites (-112) over Pittsburgh, with the over/under set at 55.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh prediction, preview
It’s been an up-and-down campaign for the Fighting Irish. Season-opening losses to Miami and Texas A&M left the team in a precarious spot. However, Notre Dame has reeled off seven straight wins since Week 3. Granted, their competition hasn’t been terrific; only #17 USC has been ranked. Regardless, the Irish are taking care of business in convincing fashion. During that time, they’ve won by two or more scores against every opponent.
Leading the charge for ND is future first-round pick Jeremiyah Love. The running back might be the most electric player in college football. Through nine games, he’s compiled 988 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 6.4 yards per carry. The junior has notched 100+ yards from scrimmage in all but two appearances this season. Love is joined by freshman CJ Carr at quarterback. The gunslinger has thrown for 2,275 yards and 19 touchdowns while tossing just four interceptions. Unlike in years past, the Irish have the ability to beat opposing defenses on the ground and through the air.
Running room could prove difficult to come by, even for a superstar such as Love. Pitt is holding opponents to 2.4 yards per rush, best in the ACC. In comparison, the Panthers are allowing 237.4 passing yards per game, the conference’s eighth-worst mark. That puts even more impetus on Carr to take advantage of this middling secondary.
Notre Dame isn’t the only team with a phenom under center. Mason Heintschel has been a savior for Pitt at quarterback. Since being named starter in Week 6, the freshman has accounted for 1,511 yards and 12 touchdowns while tossing five interceptions. The Panthers have scored at least 30 points in each of his starts. It helps that Heintschel has two stellar wide receivers he throw to. Kenny Johnson and Raphael Williams have combined for 1,098 receiving yards and ten total touchdowns. Slowing down this dynamic duo could be a challenge for an inconsistent Irish secondary.
With that being said, Notre Dame’s defense has shown major signs of improvement in recent weeks. The Irish have given up more than 300 yards only once over their last four games. In addition, they’ve snagged 16 interceptions this season, including three from All-American cornerback Leonard Moore. ND’s opportunistic ballhawks could be in line for a big play or two against the freshman Heintschel.
Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh pick, best bet
It could be a rainy day in Western Pennsylvania, so points may be difficult to come by. To be fair, it’s almost impossible to fade either offense at the moment. Regardless, it’s not as if either school has played top-notch defenses. Pitt’s run-stuffing ability, and Notre Dame’s knack for turnovers, make things more interesting. Expect an intense, lower-scoring affair between two schools desperate for a win.
