Exploiting the Matchups: Pitt vs. Notre Dame
- Noah Wehby
- Nov 13
- 4 min read
Notre Dame gears up for what should be their biggest remaining test of the season. With playoff chances on the line, this is a "must-win" for the Irish, and it will serve as their last chance to perform well against another ranked opponent. Let's take a look at the matchups that favor the Irish, as well as the ones that don't.
Advantages
Notre Dame Passing Attack vs. Pitt Passing Secondary
Overall, the Pitt defense is a pretty good unit, ranking in the top 40 in most defensive categories. One place Notre Dame could find success on offense is through the air. Throughout the season, CJ Carr and company have shown their ability to hurt teams in the passing game, especially when looking to capitalize on big play opportunities. This season, Notre Dame ranks second in yards per pass with 10.2. This stat points to an offence that has become incredibly efficient and is not afraid to take shots down the field. Looking at Pitt, this is exactly where they struggle as a defense. They rank 63rd in passing percentage against, allowing quarterbacks to hit just under 62% of their passes. What may be most concerning for the Panthers is the yards they give up in the passing game. In that category, they rank 101st in the entire country, averaging 246 passing yards allowed per game. Looking at these stats, Notre Dame should be able to exploit this weakness with talented players like Malachi Fields, Will Pauling, and Jordan Faison.
Taking Advantage of Pitt's Mistakes
Football can often be a very opportunistic game. On Saturday, Notre Dame must take advantage of the opportunities Pitt gives them. So far this season, Pitt has proven to be a team that is prone to giving teams those opportunities. On the offensive side of the ball, Pitt ranks among the worst in the country when it comes to penalties. As a unit, they average just over eight penalties per game, resulting in 75 lost yards. This is something Notre Dame must use to their advantage. The Irish defense has to be able to get off the field and punish them for making those mistakes. Offensive penalties are often drive killers, so Notre Dame would do well to make sure they are on Saturday. Along with the penalties, Pitt is also prone to turning the ball over, which bodes well for a Notre Dame defense that has been causing turnovers at an impressive rate. Pitt ranks 119th in the country in turnovers per game, giving the ball away just under two times a contest. That means Notre Dame, a defense that averages two takeaways per game, should be able to cause chaos and get the offense extra possessions. It will be up to the offense to capitalize on those chances, as it could be the turning point in this game.
Disadvantages
Notre Dame's Secondary vs. Pitt's Passing Attack
As Notre Dame may be able to take advantage of Pitt's secondary, Pitt may be able to do the same as well. In recent weeks, Notre Dame's secondary has gotten a lot better since the beginning of the year. With that being said, they still show some weaknesses, and this will be the best passing attack they've faced since USC. Pitt ranks 23rd in yards per completion, gaining an average of a little over eight yards per completion. This, combined with their top ten passing game in yards per game, makes Pitt a dangerous team. Notre Dame already allows 232 passing yards per game, so this could very well be an area of the game that Pitt will want to attack. Kenny Johnson and Raphael Willaims Jr. are both talented wide receivers for the Panthers who have both had solid seasons so far. The duo has combined for over 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns. These are both players that Leonard Moore and the young Irish secondary will have to stay on top of in order to slow down an offense that scores 37 points per game.
Notre Dame's Explosive Ground Game vs. Pitt's Stifling Run Defense
This will be the matchup to watch all game. Although it may not be a disadvantage for the Irish, it is an area of the field that Pitt could have an answer for in parts of the game. Notre Dame's offense is centered around the rushing attack of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Together, they make up the best backfield in the country, and Love is even in some Heisman talks for his stellar play this season. This season, the running game is averaging almost 200 yards a game, which ranks at 20th in the country. This has been enough to dominate almost every opponent the Irish have seen this season. That reality could change on Saturday. Pitt boasts one of the best run defenses in the entire country, allowing only 2.5 yards per attempt. That puts them at fourth in all of college football. If they can slow down Love and Price like they have done to other backs all season, Notre Dame could have a very hard time moving the ball. Not only does the Irish offense rely on the run for much of its points and yards, but it is also a key part of their passing game. The run opens up opportunities for shots downfield. Pitt has not seen a backfield like Love and Price, so it will truly be put to the test in a matchup that could help determine the game.
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