Article: What to look for in Week 6

[nd1]

What to watch: Notre Dame, Week 6
October, 7, 2010 Oct 710:30AM ETEmail Print Comments By Brian BennettWhat to watch from Notre Dame in its game against Pittsburgh on Saturday in South Bend:

1. Stopping the run: The Irish did a great job against the run last week against Boston College, but Pittsburgh is a different challenge. Star tailback Dion Lewis burned them for 152 yards and two scores last year, and while Lewis has struggled, backup Ray Graham is now the nation's third-leading rusher. Everything Pitt does is based around the power running game. Still, the Panthers' offensive line has scuffled and was reshuffled before the last game. If Notre Dame can stop Lewis and Graham from picking up big chunks of yards, the game will basically be over.

2. Slowing the pass rush: Pittsburgh loves to bring heavy pressure using only its front four, though it has blitzed more often this year. Star defensive end Greg Romeus is out after back surgery, but senior Jabaal Sheard is still a force at the other end spot, and the Panthers have some speed rushers like Brandon Lindsey who will test tackles Zack Martin and Taylor Dever.

3. Spreading Pitt thin: Brian Kelly outschemed Dave Wannstedt the past two years in the Big East on his way to the league title, and Wannstedt's team will be facing one of its Achilles' heels: the spread offense. Pitt moved Dom DeCicco down from safety to linebacker to try and improve its pass coverage. But the fact remains that if Notre Dame can get Theo Riddick or Kyle Rudolph matched up against the Panthers' linebackers, that's an extremely advantageous situation. They key will be for Dayne Crist to make quick decisions and get the ball out of his hand before the pass rush arrives.Share

 

[IrishLax]

I'll put it this way... anyone who gets held to 3 points in a game has a very stoppable offense. This article is very accurate when it says if we stop their running game the game is basically over. But that is a big "if."

 

[]\/[GoBlue]

You guys should pound Pitt

 

[nd1]

You guys should pound Pitt

depends on what team shows up. as hot and cold as our offence is who knows.

 

[TDHeysus]

any team that can apply pass rush pressure with only their front 4 guys will be a tough team to pass on. If Pitt's pass rush is as good as this article suggest, ND is going to need a big game from the Oline this week.

 

[Dizzyphil]

any team that can apply pass rush pressure with only their front 4 guys will be a tough team to pass on. If Pitt's pass rush is as good as this article suggest, ND is going to need a big game from the Oline this week.

agreed brother!!!


Diz

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

We need to play a solid, sound game this week on both sides of the ball for us to win. Pitt has been an iffy team at times, but they still have some outstanding playmakers. We need to focus on playing our game with minimal mistakes. On offense, we need solid play from the o-line and get the running game going a little bit to open up things, on the defensive side of the ball, we need to stop the run and hold them to minimum games and not let them get 8-10 yard runs.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Pitt will test us early..if we hold early...I think we can win by 2 TDs....

 

[Old Man Mike]

Pitt MIGHT show up big, since it's us. But there are hints of unhappiness over here in the Pitt region. [Wheeling is quite close to Pittsburgh]. People are openly griping [again] about Wannstadt and his "model-T Ford" way of playing football. People keep asking Baldwin if he's disappointed in his receiving chances, and he keeps sounding less convincing that things are just fine. People are quite doubtful as to whether Sunseri can do it as a starter in big games. Hopefully we won't be the equivalent of the Mayo Clinic for their ills. If we're NOT, they might even crack and lose badly. I'll take any win we can get, of course.

 

[ACamp1900]

I expect nothing less than their best effort... I don't see us running away with anything personaly.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I expect nothing less than their best effort... I don't see us running away with anything personaly.

I agree with you, I don't see this being a runaway by either team and it will be close. Of course I hope and expect us to win this weekend.

 

[jason_h537]

depends on what team shows up. as hot and cold as our offence is who knows.

Disagree

i think we show up and pound them early only to fumble 2 or 3 times to make the game much closer than it should have been

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

I would like to see the run game avg 6.5 ypc and the D hold them to under 14. GO IRISH!!!!!