Notre Dame Football: Pittsburgh Is Another Trap Game for Fighting Irish

Notre Dame is not a runaway favorite in their upcoming game against Pittsburgh. Playing on the road in the state they are in could easily send them home with another disappointing loss.

This wouldn't be the first time Notre Dame lost to an inferior opponent. While their big win last week proves this isn't a completely meaningless season, it's showing up on a week-to-week basis that has proven most challenging for the Irish.

Consistency is a huge issue. The team seems to have corrected the huge turnover problem for the time being, but for how long? While last week will be seen as a turning point if they are able to string together a couple of victories, their win against Michigan State could have very well been an aberration.

They have a stretch of three winnable games, but they can't let complacency get the better of them. They aren't gearing up for a huge game, but they are headed into one that could have major implications.

Notre Dame needs to approach every game as if they are taking on a ranked opponent. If they do that underachieving will take care of itself. Winning the games they should win has been a problem for the team in recent years and it can't be if they want to turn the program around.

Pittsburgh is 2-1 going into this game after losing a close one to Iowa. They aren't going to roll over and accept defeat. Notre Dame may only be 1-2, but taking them down would give the Panthers a signature victory.

Pitt has been looking forward to this game all season long, while Notre Dame's focus has been elsewhere. One game at a time has to become a creed Notre Dame starts living by if they want to gain some legitimacy.

Notre Dame should emerge victorious in this game, but as we've seen in the past, that doesn't always equate to a victory for the Irish.