Notre Dame returns home on Saturday to entertain the 2-2 Pittsburgh Panthers. Coach Dave Wannstedt’s team has struggled thus far due to player turnover from last year’s very successful team, and the Panthers are still tinkering with the starting lineup in an effort to find the right formula. The Irish are coming off a comfortable win against an anemic Boston College team, and need a victory to even their record at 3-3.

The recent games between these teams have been close, hard fought affairs, and Brian Kelly’s Cincinnati team engaged in a 45-44 shootout with Pitt last season for the Big East title. Kelly is now trying to revive Notre Dame while Wannstedt is beginning to feel heat in the Steel City despite delivering 19 wins in 2008-09. Both victories this season have come against lower tier schools, while losses to Utah and Miami, FL have stung. This week’s game is the Panthers’ last before conference play begins, and the sixth-year coach knows what to expect from Kelly and the Irish.

“They’re obviously a spread team, not a drop back team” he said earlier this week. “I think that Dayne Crist, their quarterback, has done a really great job at making that transition. Part of the spread offense, when you have one back, is always having the threat of a quarterback run game.”

The Irish are simply trying to build on last week’s win and continue to improve in all phases of the game. Both quarterbacks will be in the spotlight, as each team’s success is closely linked to the learning curve of its signal caller. Crist has been brilliant for the Irish at times and tentative or even confused on other occasions.

Tino Sunseri is in his first season as Pitt’s starter, and his statistics indicate modest success despite being pulled from a horrible 31-3 loss to Miami. He finished last week’s game against Florida International with 13 completions in his last 14 attempts.

NOTRE DAME’S OFFENSE vs. PITTSBURGH’S DEFENSE

The Irish were battered by Pitt’s pass rush last season, but the Panther front line is not nearly as imposing this season. End Jabaal Sheard is the leader of the group, but talented bookend Greg Romeus will not play due to an injury. The rest of linemen are young but not without talent and potential. Chas Alecxih has played well inside and both Brandon Lindsey and freshman T. J. Clemmings have shown promise.

Veterans Greg Williams and Max Gruder lead the linebacking corps, but the injured Dan Mason will miss the game. The secondary has familiar faces at safety in Dom DeCicco and Jarred Holley, while Ricky Gary and Antwuan Reed are average players at cornerback. Wannstedt’s defense is stronger against the run but somewhat vulnerable to the pass, especially when the opponent has an abundance of speed. The injury to Mason last week precipitated a few changes to the back seven alignment. Gruder moved to the middle from outside, and DeCicco spent some time at linebacker. Notre Dame will look to challenge the players in unfamiliar roles where their ability to read and react may be a step slow.

Kelly will likely use the pass early to set up the run in this contest, and Crist should run the ball on occasion to keep the front four honest and the linebackers from taking deep drops. The Irish receivers should be able to get open in single coverage if the offensive line can keep Sheard from pressuring Crist.

Notre Dame’s recent opponents have overplayed tight end Kyle Rudolph in the passing game, and the Panthers will probably do the same. While Michael Floyd is the obvious go-to receiver for the Irish, it is really incumbent upon Theo Riddick and T.J. Jones make defenses respect their ability to have an impact. Both have had moderate success, but the Irish passing game will not reach its full potential until they become more consistent.

PITTSBURGH’S OFFENSE vs. NOTRE DAME’S DEFENSE

Wannstedt made changes to his offensive line last week in an effort to jump start the running game. Jordan Gibbs was elevated to a starting role at right tackle while Lucas Nix was moved inside to guard. Jason Pinkston continues to perform well at the left tackle spot. The conservative Panthers want to run the ball in order to relieve the pressure on Sunseri, and backs Dion Lewis and Ray Graham provide a solid one-two punch.

The passing game features 6’5” wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, an elite player who burned the Irish last season. Teams have double covered Baldwin all season, and Notre Dame would be wise to afford him the same respect. The rest of the Panther receivers are new to the starting lineup, but 6’4” Mike Shanahan has proven to be a solid performer. Sunseri  will frequently utilize Lewis and Graham as check down receivers when Baldwin is covered, but the Pittsburgh tight ends have not made an impact to date.

Notre Dame will attempt to bottle up the running game and protect against the big play by Baldwin, who is the only legitimate deep threat. The Irish should also attack the patchwork right side of Pitt’s offensive line with stunts and blitzes on passing downs. They must pressure Sunseri into a state of panic as was the case against Miami, rather than a player whose confidence grew by leaps and bounds last week against Florida International.

Pitt will attempt to mix runs and short passes to lull the Irish to sleep before picking their spots to hit Baldwin for long gains on play-action or double moves similar to the pattern run by Boston College for its only touchdown last week. Notre Dame can keep the Panthers in check if they can contain the running game and force Sunseri to throw under duress. Knowing that they accomplished this task last week against a similar offense should give the Irish defenders some confidence at home. That is not to say that Pittsburgh’s offense is no better than Boston College, but there are more similarities than differences.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Dan Hutchins handles both the place kicking and punting chores for the Panthers. His 46 yard average is even more impressive when you note that his punts are rarely returned. Hutchins is efficient on field goals, although he has failed on all three attempts beyond 40 yards. Cameron Saddler is the primary return man, and he is joined by Graham on kickoffs. Both are above average statistically.

Notre Dame employed Bennett Jackson last week on kickoff returns and he delivered positive results. The effort demonstrated by Jackson seemed to ignite his blockers, who appeared to be close to setting him free on two occasions last week. Meanwhile, punter Ben Turk continues to have good and bad moments and kicker David Ruffer is rock solid on field goals.

SUMMARY

The Irish match up well with the Panthers, both up front and at the skill positions. Crist should be the better quarterback and the home crowd will help. Both teams have quick strike capability on offense, but Pitt cannot make any mistakes in its offensive execution if the threat of Baldwin is taken away. The Panthers have not been very efficient to date, which explains Wannstedt’s shakeup among his starters.

Both teams want to win this game in order to validate that they are on the right path. Notre Dame appears to be closer to a breakout offensive performance at this point in the season, but mental mistakes have frustrated the coaching staff. It’s time for this team to take a step forward.

Let’s consider a few questions that will shed light on the outcome:

Can the Irish contain Lewis and Graham in the running game?

Will Crist start fast and put up points in the first quarter?

Will Baldwin sneak past the Irish secondary for long gains?

Can Pitt’s retooled offensive line protect Sunseri?

Will Riddick and Jones make solid contributions in the passing game?

Will Notre Dame sustain a solid effort for a full 60 minutes?

Which team will hurt itself with penalties and turnovers?

PREDICTION

Notre Dame should prevail if the Irish continue to progress in the manner expected by the coaching staff. So many talented players have yet to reach their potential, but there have been flashes of what could be if everyone can get on the same page. Pittsburgh is a team without significant weaknesses, but the Panthers do not hold an edge on the Irish in any particular area. Although this may not be the breakout performance everyone is waiting for, the hosts should have enough to come out on top.

NOTRE DAME 27 PITTSBURGH 20