Keys to the Notre Dame - Pittsburgh Game

Riding on some momentum of winning their first road contest of the 2008 season, Notre Dame comes home to keep their unbeaten steak at the Stadium intact against a good Pittsburgh squad. Both teams are coming into this matchup on opposite ends, as the Irish beatdown Washington 33-7, while Pitt was torched through the air against Rutgers 54-34.

The Irish pounded the ball on the ground with ease as they had their best output since the 2005 Pittsburgh game by rushing for 252 yards. Charlie Weis and company look to make it two in a row, because the Panthers have one of the best defenses in the country (#32 nationally).

On the flip side, Pittsburgh is looking to shake from their momentary lapse at home to the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers' Mike Teel passed for six touchdown in the game, including five in the first half alone! They better fix that problem quickly, because Notre Dame's passing attack has been strong ever since the second half of the Michigan State contest.

1.) Get out of the gates early. I know I'm stating the obvious, but it will be vitally important for the Irish to start their offensive machine in high gear. Notre Dame has scored on their first possession the last three games, and it would be a positive to keep the pressure on the Panthers from the get go.

2.) Win the turnover battle. Notre Dame cannot afford a costly turnover in this game like the first play of the third quarter against North Carolina. One positive to this is that Pittsburgh is 100th in the country in turnover margin by losing 14 (8 fumbles, 6 ints) and taking away only 8 from their opposition (3 fumbles, 5 ints).

3.) Pass and pass some more. Yes, the Panthers are 34th in the nation in giving up only 187.14 yards through the air, but Pitt is also one of the worst in passing efficiency (94th among FBS squads). Rutgers was very effective with the deep ball, which is one of the Irish's strengths. So far this season, Notre Dame has had over 20 throws of 30 yards or more against their opposition. Last season the Irish had only 14 total.

The Irish have made a living torching opponents with fade routes, and that’s something the Panthers have not seen much of this season. Without question, Notre Dame has an advantage if it can turn this game into a shootout, with speedy targets like Golden Tate, David Grimes, Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph. There's too many targets for Pittsburgh to cover.

Pitt's secondary is very small as they have only one starter over six feet tall (SS Dom Decicco). Notre Dame should be very successful in the passing category against the Panthers.

4.) Contain McCoy and the Pitt ground game. Last week the Irish had their most dominant defensive game of the Weis era by giving up only 124 total yards against the Huskies, including, 26 yards on 23 carries.

Once again the Irish will face one of the best running backs in the country in the Panthers LeSean McCoy. McCoy is averaging 119.29 yards a game and 5.19 per carry. He also has 14 rushing touchdowns as well. Notre Dame did hold Javon Ringer in check for over three quarters, and will need the same strength and effort to do the say against Pittsburgh.

If the Irish can limit the Panthers to their [ND's defensive] season average of 120.6yards, they should keep their Notre Dame Stadium unbeaten streak intact.

Harrison Smith and Kyle McCarthy will be big X-factors in the game to help shut down the run. Also look for Pat Kuntz, Ian Williams, Darius Fleming and Ethan Johnson to have big games as well.

5.) Red Zone Proficiency. As of late, the Irish have made the most of their chances inside the red zone. However, they are still one of the worst in the nation converting around 60%.

Pittsburgh's opponents are converting nearly 80% of their opportunities within the red zone, which should bode well for the Irish. Since Brandon Walker is somewhat on a roll, making three consecutive field goals, Notre Dame should be in good shape to make good on their scoring chances.

6.) Win the Third Down Conversions battle. Something will have to give on Saturday, as the Panthers are one of the best by converting 44% of their third downs, while the Irish are holding their opponents to 37%.

If the Irish can limit the third and shorts and force Pitt to throw, Notre Dame will win this contest.