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College Football Betting Odds - Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-3 SU, 2-7 ATS) at Pittsburgh Panthers (8-1 SU, 6-2 ATS)

Saturday, November 7: 8:00 p.m.
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA

College Football Betting Odds: Pittsburgh -6 ½

Here are some BetUS.com Betting Trends Which May Impact This Game:

  • Notre Dame: 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games
  • Notre Dame: 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games
  • Notre Dame:  The total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 games
  • Pittsburgh: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
  • Pittsburgh: 2-4 ATS in their last 6 road games
  • Pittsburgh: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 games

A key nonconference game, featuring two teams going in completely different directions will take place Saturday night, when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish visit the Pittsburgh Panthers.

For Notre Dame, a season with BCS bowl game expectations could come down to a crashing halt, after losing their third game last weekend to Navy.

Although they have struggled, you can’t blame their misfortunes on the offense, particularly junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen. On the year, Clausen has been phenomenal, throwing for 2,770 yards and 20 touchdowns, to just three interceptions.

He will be at a disadvantage going forward though, as his best tight end, Kyle Rudolph is out for the year with a shoulder injury. Running back Armando Allen is expected back for the Irish however, after missing the last two games. Notre Dame is currently ranked sixth in college football in total offense (460 yards per game) and passing yardage (325 yards a game).

Unfortunately for the Irish, as good as their offense has been, their defense has been equally abysmal. On the season, they are ranked 79th in college football, allowing 386 yards per game. Although they’ve given up just 22 points a game of scoring offense, they have allowed 30 or more points four times, something that won’t cut it Saturday.

As for Pittsburgh, this team is finally clicking under sixth year coach Dave Wannstedt. While Notre Dame likes to throw the ball, Pitt prefers a power running game, led by freshman back Dion Lewis. Lewis is currently ranked seventh in FBS football in both carries (203) and total yardage (1139). Pitt also has a solid passing game, with senior Bill Stull, who has thrown for 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions. His favorite targets are Dorin Dickerson and Jonathan Baldwin, who’ve combined for 74 catches.

If the Irish harbor serious hopes of going to a BCS bowl game, they’ll need to win Saturday. And to win, they’ll simply need a better defensive effort than the one’s they’ve gotten all year. Pittsburgh is one of the most balanced attacks in all of college football, and allowing 400 yards of offense like they did last week simply won’t cut it.

As for the Panthers, they’re peaking at the right time. They’ve won five in a row, their last two by 27 points each.

With a home field advantage and the better personnel on the defensive side of the ball, I think Pittsburgh wins this game. They are going to eat up clock with their running game, and do just enough to keep Notre Dame’s high-powered passing attack off the field.

Take the Panthers, giving 6 ½ points, in this week’s BetUS.com college football betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Pittsburgh -6 ½