Notre Dame comes to town this weekend for the Saturday night nationally-televised matchup against our own Panthers. As we’re sure the Pitt faithful already know, the game starts at 8:00 PM and will be televised on ABC.

Notre Dame comes into this game looking for redemption after last weekend’s loss to Navy. At 6-3 this season, Notre Dame has virtually knocked themselves out of the running for a BCS bowl, as well as endangered their possible invitation to the Gator Bowl.

On the other hand, Pitt comes into this game on a roll. The Panthers are on a 5 game winning streak and are 8-1 overall. They’re having their best season since 1981. Ranked 8th in the AP Poll, the Panthers are a contender for the Big East Championship this year.

So what do we expect from this game? Read on to hear our predictions for the game.

Dan_P:

Last week’s win against Syracuse didn’t exactly come as I had expected, but the score was pretty close to my prediction. I predicted a 38-10 Panthers win and instead got a 37-10 win. But the Panthers didn’t really come out as prepared as I had expected. They struggled in the first half, especially during the first quarter. The defense looked sloppy, special teams were atrocious, and Pitt just looked rusty. In the end, Pitt came together and, sparked by an interception and touchdown by Greg Williams, rolled over Syracuse.

Hopefully the Panthers got all of the kinks worked out last week. I’d imagine they addressed the problems on special teams this week during practice. They’re well aware of the offensive power of Notre Dame, as they should be. If the defense comes out unprepared this week, Notre Dame will jump on that opportunity and quickly make them pay for it. Pitt needs to come out playing their top game from the opening kickoff.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Pitt is the better team. The question is: Will they play like it? I think they will. Pitt knows that this game has no effect on the Big East race. They also know that it can affect the Big East’s chances of getting its second place team into the Gator Bowl. More importantly, they know that there are going to be a lot of people across the nation watching this game. This is a golden opportunity for the Panthers to shine in the spotlight and perhaps put to rest some of the criticism of the Big East Conference.

Look for the Panthers to be prepared and fired up for this game. Nothing excites the team more than playing a nationally televised, night time game in front of the home crowd. Heinz Field will be packed and the crowd will be loud. I get chills even thinking about what “Sweet Caroline” is going to sound like tomorrow night. I say Pitt comes out sharp, prepared, and focused. Just as they know Notre Dame has power, they know Notre Dame has weaknesses. Don’t think for a second that Pitt didn’t closely examine the Navy-Notre Dame game last weekend. Remember that it was the same Navy team that Pitt handed a 27-14 loss to earlier this year at Heinz Field. This team knows that they can beat Notre Dame, and they know how to do it.

Prediction: 34-27, Pitt

Mike_B

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of “America’s Darling” Notre Dame. They get to live off their name. They live off their tradition. But here’s the deal: They really aren’t that good. Let me rephrase that, their offense is very good, some of the best you’ll see throughout the nation. Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, and Michael Floyd are all players that you’ll see playing on Sundays. But their defense is putrid. They were run all over by Navy last week. And while they never had to punt, they still lost because of turnovers. I don’t doubt Clausen, Tate, or Floyd and their abilities, but I do doubt their head coach Charlie Weis. I doubt their defense. Notre Dame has barely escaped with their victories. Then again, they have barely missed victories in their defeats as well.

Pitt’s defense will really need to step up this weekend. Clausen will be the best quarterback they see all year. Tate and Floyd will be two of the best receivers they see all year. One key to victory for the Panthers will be getting pressure on Clausen. If they can do that and rattle him a bit, it will not give him the chance to go deep to Tate. Notre Dame will put up their fair share of points because their offense is just that good.

This will be an offensive game and that’s where Pitt will win it. Notre Dame is a pass heavy team. Pitt is more balanced and I think Notre Dame won’t be able to stop Dion Lewis. Pitt needs to ram the ball down Notre Dame’s throat to set the tone of this game: a smash mouth, hard hitting game. Get the run going and then let Bill Stull do what he has been doing best all year, the play action pass. Look for Jonathan Baldwin and Dorin Dickerson to have big games.

Panther fans, I ask you, please be ready for tomorrow night. Bring your A game for cheering. If Pitt gets down, stay loud. If they go up bigger, get louder. If Stull throws an interception, don’t boo. Let him know you are behind him. Make Notre Dame and all of their fans realize we don’t give a dame how they do it in South Bend. They are in Pittsburgh and Charlie Weis won’t be saving his job with the help of the Panthers. I want to hear a “Let’s Go Pitt!” chant before the band even marches onto the field. The game is a sellout and Notre Dame fans will be there. But wear your blue, lose your voice, and cheer on your Panthers like you’ve never cheered before. All year, Panther fans, we have heard people bash us as fans for not staying through the game, not selling games out, and not being loud. Let’s make that all change tomorrow. Let college football nation realize how proud we are of our team.

There will be no “Touchdown Jesus” tomorrow folks. No, tomorrow is Pitt’s day as they move to 9-1 (5-0).

Prediction: 38-24, Pitt