Pitt Preview

The Irish travel to #8 ranked Pittsburgh Saturday night (7pm, ABC) in what could be the most important game of Charlie Weis's career. The Pitt Panthers are 8-1 and have control of their own destiny in the Big East conference. Pitt is very talented and will be one of the if not the best team the Irish have faced all season. Yours truly will be on hand for the game at Heinz Field, which should be around 40 degrees at gametime.

Due to traveling, not much time available for a preview. During the week reading about Pitt, it sounds like this program is really confident and ready for the Irish. The Irish are either going to be inspired or scared, and I'm not sure which. Jimmy and company should be able to move the ball a bit on the Panthers, who have a great defensive line that is near tops in the country in sacks. Pitt has been efficient offensively, balanced with the pass and the run. This has the feel of a shootout in the 30s, a close game won by the team who gets the ball last. Turnovers will obviously be key - an area the Irish have performed well in every game except last week. I expect the Irish defense and defensive line in particular to thrive upon facing a pro style offensive attack instead of the option attack.

Flat out, this has the makings of being a great football game. I expect the Irish to play one of their better games of the year, but the game to still be close and in doubt. I have to give the edge because their front 4 should be able to rush Clausen  -  allowing more defenders to drop back into coverage. The home crowd and tension building under the Weis coaching situation will also favor the Panthers; a superhuman effort from Jimmy Clausen might not be enough. Prediction:

Pitt    34     Notre Dame  31

(Vatican Smoke is 6-3 picking ND games straight up, and 5-4 against the spread)