Notre Dame Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020
7. Scouting Report. Oct. 17. 866. Pick Analysis. Pittsburgh (Penn.). Pittsburgh Panthers. player
In another one of Notre Dame’s annual ACC games, the Fighting Irish get back on the road to face the Pittsburgh Panthers, who are always a tough team to beat. Notre Dame will be getting ready for their defining stretch of the season and they will need to avoid an upset at the hands of the Panthers.
Notre Dame has won the last two matchups against Pitt, including a near upset in the Fighting Irish’s playoff run in 2018.
Pitt returns a lot of experience on both sides of the ball and are expected to have one of the best offensive lines in the ACC as well as one of the best front sevens on the defensive side of the ball. A lot of Pitt’s success this season will depend on how big of a leap quarterback Kenny Pickett can make. This has upset written all over, but I think Notre Dame finds a way to win heading into their bye week.
Final Score: Notre Dame 28, Pittsburgh 24 (7-0)
825. Scouting Report. Duke Blue Devils. player. Oct. 31. South Bend (Ind.). 8. Pick Analysis
A week after their bye, Notre Dame will welcome Duke to South Bend in what will be a bit of a trap game. Notre Dame could be caught looking ahead to the showdown with Clemson and will need to be sure that their focus is on the Blue Devils because the last time that they visited South Bend, they pulled off a 38-35 upset in 2016.
Duke will have a new quarterback under center this season, with Clemson transfer Chase Brice expected to take over for the Blue Devils in 2020 and they are usually potent on offense under head coach David Cutcliffe.
Notre Dame will be focused for this one and earn a double-digit victory at home
Final Score: Notre Dame 48, Duke 21 (8-0)