Above Image Credit: Chicago Sun-Times
When: Saturday, Nov. 15th, 12 PM EST
Where: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh, PA)
How to Watch: ABC (check your local listings)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to strengthen their CFP status when they battle the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday.
From Back-To-Back Losses to CFP Contenders
Notre Dame went from having back-to-back losses at the start of the season to a 7-game winning streak and a spot among the top 12 teams in the CFP playoff picture. Talk about an incredible comeback.
Now, they will enter Steel City with a 7-2 record and #9 in the CFP standings. They will face the Panthers who are riding a wave of momentum right now.
Leading the way is freshman QB CJ Carr. This season, he’s done 152 completions out of 225 attempts for 2,275 yards, 19 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Helping him out is RB Jeremiyah Love, who’s been on a roll as of late. He’s rushed for almost 1,000+ yards and 13 TDs, plus received for 254 yards in 24 carries for three TDs.
The Fighting Irish have no intentions to lose this game, but if they need to keep their CFP hopes alive, they always have their last two games against Syracuse and Stanford. They have to win them both.
Pittsburgh Rising Again
Pittsburgh started their season with two easy wins followed by back-to-back losses by the end of September. They’ve had five consecutive wins since then.
Part of their resurgence is thanks in part to their freshman QB Mason Heintschel. He was the starting QB in those five wins where he completed 115 out of 180 attempts and recorded 1,511 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
While their CFP chances are out of reach, they still have an opportunity to make the ACC Championship game next month. However, they still have to get past Georgia Tech and Miami to do that.
Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh: Final Thoughts and Prediction
I know they’ll survive if they win, but I believe Notre Dame will lose their CFB credibility if they lose this game. I also can’t say how far they will drop in the rankings if it happens.
The QBs of both teams are coming in as True Freshmans of the game, something you don’t always see in college football. Carr is coming into this game as the starter of all his games. Heintschel started for only five games and proved that you don’t need to be a “veteran,” to have the skills needed to win.
I see Pitt as a team that’s breaking out little by little in the pursuit of greatness, although they’re doing that a little too late. Those back-to-back losses did set them back, and it could’ve been prevented if they won at least of those games. Maybe the committee could have ranked them a little higher than #22.
Regardless, I think Pitt will give Notre Dame one of their biggest challenges to date. If anything, both sides are going to need it to fulfill their championship goals. However, I will take a risk and put Notre Dame on upset alert.
