Notre Dame's Path To Victory Against Pitt
Notre Dame enters the midpoint matchup with the Pittsburgh Panthers unsure of itself. Inconsistencies have plagued the Irish in all five contests leading to a regrettable 2-3 mark.
Having held a late lead in the fourth quarter in two of the three losses and letting the two wins remain closer than they should have been leave many question marks on what should be a talented and improved Irish team.
A win over the Panthers now becomes almost necessary as ranked Utah and USC still loom on the schedule and bowl eligibility could hang in the balance.
Pittsburgh as a team is very beatable for Notre Dame. The Panthers struggled against Utah in containing the spread offense and in moving the football, and were absolutely shelled by Miami, their only other BCS opponent.
Coming off of a defensive performance that held Boston College to five yards rushing, the Irish have shown that there is the ability to play solid defense. However, after jumping out to a fast 21-0 lead Notre Dame let the awful Eagles back into the game with turnovers and poor play at the quarterback position.
Against the Panthers, these mistakes will result in a loss.
Contain Ray Graham
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The Panthers have relied on the legs of Ray Graham to lead the offense this season. He has carried 52 times for 492 yards and five touchdowns in the Panthers first four games. He accounts for 45 percent of all rushing attempts and 75 percent of rushing yards gained.
In fact, he accounts for one third of the Panthers total yardage gained, as well as five of Pitt's 12 touchdowns.
Apart from him, the Panther's offensive is rather unimpressive.
Pressure the Passer
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Pittburgh's sophomore quarterback Tino Sunseri has been less than consistent this season, but has the ability to complete passes at a high percentage. When the run is working and he has time to throw, he can find open receivers and move the chains.
Sunseri has completed 62 percent of his throws for 689 yards, four touchdowns, and two picks.
Against Miami and Utah, Pittsburgh's other BCS-level competition, he was 24 of 43 for 245 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Against FCS, New Hampshire, and God-awful Florida International, he connected on 39 of 57 for 444 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
He is still a green passer who has performed better against weaker opponents who could not match up physically.
Despite Notre Dame's lack of depth in the secondary, the Irish backfield should be able to cover the Panthers receiving corps while committing a linebacker or safety to spy on the RB or pressure the passer.
Getting hits on and bringing down the quarterback has not been a Notre Dame hallmark of late, and it's time to see some of the speed on defense used to disrupt the passing game rather than stand out of position seven yards down field and make a late tackle after a 120-yard gain on third and eight, 10 times a game.
Brian Kelly Must Lose His Voice
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Like it or not, this team screws up. A lot. Procedural penalties are common, play clocks run out too often, and mental mistakes have killed the Irish this season.
For whatever reason, Notre Dame remains in the Charlie Weis era of lax play. If it takes scarring Brian Kelly's pipes to shake his players from their ever state of twilight, so be it.
And the refs—let's just say that not since Lou Holtz has a side judge at Notre Dame Stadium ended a game deaf in one ear and covered in spit.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Protect the #$^*ing Ball
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Nothing kills a team in college football more than turnovers.
A fumble against Purdue turned, what should have been a runaway win, into a close game.
Turnovers cost Notre Dame the Michigan game.
Two turnovers inside the 20 at Michigan State again doomed the Irish.
Two turnovers at Boston College made a game that should have easily gotten out of hand suddenly relevant again.
Cover the damn ball.
Dayne Crist Must Find Consistency
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Over four games Crist has been one shot happy, one shot sad.
It seems that every time he does something dazzling the next play he does something stupid.
He threads the needle to find Rudolph on the seam for a huge gain one play, then throws into triple coverage and is picked.
He finds Floyd on the sideline for a first down on the last drive at Michigan State, then on the next third down completely forgets his best receiver and misses him wide open three yards passed the marker throwing short for Rudolph who is immediately tackled by tight coverage two yards short of the first down.
He too often loses sight of the play clock and allows it to run out.
He has yet to reign in the power of his arm.
Make no mistake, Dayne Crist has all the potential to be a phenomenal quarterback in this offense. When the reigns are loosened and he can use his feet more and add the option component to this spread offense defenses may be unable to cover all of the options.
But what he needs to do first is LESS.
Less overthrows.
Less forced throws.
Less mental breakdowns.
Less reasons for Brian Kelly to damage his vocal chords.
Find a Killer Instinct
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It's game day. Get fired up.
Learn to beat your opponent physically.
When you get ahead play smart.
Bury them.
For three years now it's been the same old story. So close, but we can't close.
How many 4th quarter leads have been lost?
How many close games could have been over much sooner?
How many inferior teams upset the Irish?
WAY too many.
Part of losing is not knowing how to win. It's being up by two scores and letting your foot off of the gas.
Only once over the last 4 years has Notre Dame decided the game before the fourth quarter in a win.
More often they were the team rolled and pushed aside.
This team needs to find that killer instinct.
Victory March
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In all honesty this is a game that Notre Dame should win.
They out match Pittsburgh talent wise, they've played far and away better opponents this year, and have another game under their belt.
Pittsburgh has trouble defending the pass and can't pass very well.
If the Irish do not beat themselves with turnovers and penalties, they should beat the Panthers.
We should hopefully get to hear the Victory March early and often.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
