The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been unscathed so far this season, while the Pittsburgh Panthers are on a losing streak they want to snap at home this coming weekend. Check out our preview of this ACC matchup below.
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Betting Preview for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Pittsburgh Panthers NCAA Week 8 College Football Game on October 24, 2020
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
When: Saturday, October 24, 2020, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-9.5) vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (+9.5) – view all 2020 NCAAF lines
TV Broadcast: ABC
Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-9.5)
Record: 3-0 Overall / 4-0 Conference
The Fighting Irish remained undefeated, as they collected their fourth win of the season during a 12-7 victory at home over the Louisville Cardinals. Notre Dame’s defense has simply been too much to opposing teams, including the Cardinals, who went scoreless outside of the third quarter. Notre Dame was more than happy to control the game by forcing to run the ball as much as it can, coming up with 232 rushing yards and a touchdown on 49 carries. But it was really their defense that stood out. Against the Panthers, who struggled to make things happen on offense last week against the Miami Hurricanes, Notre Dame might just as well give Pittsburgh the same treatment. Pittsburgh rattled off 300 total yards but went just 3-of-17 on third downs. Getting over that third-down hump is so hard to do against Notre Dame, which is third in the nation with opponents converting on just 20.75 percent of their third-down tries.
The Fighting Irish are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 games.
Betting on the Pittsburgh Panthers (+9.5)
Record: 2-3 Overall / 3-3 Conference
The losing continues for the Panthers. After starting the season with three-straight wins, they have now lost all their last three games. Last week, they fell prey to the Miami Hurricanes on the road, 31-19. They also lost to Boston College (31-30 OT) prior to that, so maybe a return back to Pittsburgh can cure the team’s malaise, though, they also suffered a home loss to the NC State Wolfpack, 30-29, on Oct. 4. The main concern for Pittsburgh right now is the health of quarterback Kenny Pickett. One of the best passers in the ACC, Pickett was not able to play in the Miami game due to an ankle injury he suffered in the loss to Boston College. Hopefully for the Panthers, Pickett will heal from his injury in time for the upcoming date with Notre Dame, though they might have something in freshman Joey Yellen. In his first start for Pittsburgh, Yellen went 22-of-46 for 277 yards and a touchdown without a turnover against Miami. His line could’ve been better if his receivers did not drop passes and the Panthers were more disciplined, as they were charged with 10 penalties for a loss of 89 yards. Obviously, the Panthers need to clean those up against Notre Dame.
The under is 6-4 in the Panthers’ last 10 games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
Notre Dame wins, 23-17.
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