Notre Dame at Pittsburgh: The 5 Key One-on-One Battles

Saturday's game at Pittsburgh marks a major crossroads game for Notre Dame. If they can keep the momentum from last week's convincing win over Michigan State, they can continue their turnaround from a disappointing 0-2 start.

Pittsburgh is kicking themselves about as much as the Irish are after seeing a 24-3 lead evaporate into a 31-27 loss at Iowa on Saturday, but the Panthers are a quality opponent with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. 

Here are the five key matchups that will determine which team sets themselves up for a big October and which team is once again left scratching their heads.

No. 1: Notre Dame C Braxton Cave vs. Pittsburgh NT Myles Caragein

Cave has been the anchor of an offensive line that has been a bright spot for the Fighting Irish, but will face a major test against the Panthers’ Caragein. The 290-pound nose tackle is the key piece in new coordinator Keith Patterson’s 3-4 alignment.

Jonas Gray has bounced back well after his game-changing fumble against South Florida to become a very solid between-the tackles runner. Notre Dame will hope to get similar production from Gray again on Saturday, but will need Cave to continue his impressive play against one of the Big East’s best defensive linemen.

No. 2: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd vs. Pittsburgh CB K'Waun Williams

Notre Dame has yet to face a cornerback who can lock down Floyd, the second-leading receiver in the nation. While Williams isn’t a star, the talented sophomore got a good test last week against Iowa’s Marvin McNutt.

Expect the Panthers to roll their coverage towards Floyd and throw plenty of looks at Tommy Rees, so Williams should have some help from star safety Jarred Holley. At 5’10”, facing the 6’3” Floyd, he’ll need it.

No. 3: Pittsburgh WR Devin Street vs. Notre Dame CB Robert Blanton

Jonathan Baldwin left early for the NFL, but the Panthers still have a strong group of receivers. Mike Shanahan is a solid possession receiver, but Devin Street is their primary deep threat, catching a 66-yard touchdown pass in last week’s loss to Iowa.

Blanton is likely to get the task of covering Street, as Gary Gray is more suited to cover Shanahan after his continued struggles against the deep ball. The 6’1” senior was by far the MVP of the win against Michigan State last week, sealing the victory with an interception on the goal line and returning it deep into Spartan territory.

No. 4: Pittsburgh RB Ray Graham vs. Notre Dame LB Prince Shembo

Graham can do it all, and running backs are more than just running backs in coach Todd Graham’s offense. Despite standing only 5’7”, Graham has over 400 yards rushing in three games with six touchdowns, and his 13 receptions are second on the team.

“Dog” linebacker Shembo missed the win over Michigan State, but will play against the Panthers. His role requires a lot of pass coverage, and he’ll be the first line of defense against the screens and passes in the flat that Pittsburgh will throw to the speedy Graham.

No. 5: Notre Dame LT Zack Martin vs. Pittsburgh LB Ejuan Price

Martin’s first career start in 2010 came against Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan, a first-round NFL draft pick, so Tommy Rees’ blind-side protector is no stranger to quality pass rushers. Price, only a true freshman, has two sacks on the young season.

Protection has been very good so far for the Irish, but the Panthers sacked Iowa’s James Vandenberg four times last Saturday. Pittsburgh will be the strongest front seven Notre Dame has faced so far this season.