The Pittsburgh Panthers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish meet Saturday in week 9 college football action at Notre Dame Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Preview 

The Pittsburgh Panthers need a win after losing 5 of their last 6 games. Pittsburgh has lost 5 of its last 7 road games. Phil Jurkovec is completing 50.9 percent of his passes for 818 yards, 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Konata Mumpfield and Bub Means have combined for 673 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Gavin Bartholomew has 17 receptions. The Pittsburgh Panthers ground game is averaging 111.1 yards per contest, and C’Bo Flemister leads the way with 282 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Pittsburgh is allowing 24.6 points and 325 yards per game. Donovan McMillon leads the Pittsburgh Panthers with 57 tackles, Bam Brima has 3 sacks and M.J. Devonshire has 2 interceptions.

Pittsburgh Panthers Team Facts

• The underdog has won each of Pittsburgh’s last three games.
• Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in 12 of its last 14 matches as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Pittsburgh has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• Pittsburgh has won the first quarter in six of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
• Each of Pittsburgh’s last four games as an underdog against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Preview 

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish look for their fourth home win to improve to 7-2 on the season. Notre Dame has won 7 of its last 9 home games. Sam Hartman is completing 64.5 percent of his passes for 1,838 yards, 18 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Mitchell Evans and Chris Tyree have combined for 711 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jayden Thomas has 15 receptions. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish ground game is averaging 165.3 yards per contest, and Audric Estime leads the way with 787 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, Notre Dame is allowing 16.4 points and 282.3 yards per game. JD Bertrand leads the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with 52 tackles, Jordan Botelho has 2 sacks and Xavier Watts has 4 interceptions.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Facts

• Notre Dame has won each of its last 16 games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference at Notre Dame Stadium.
• Notre Dame has covered the spread in 10 of its last 11 games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Notre Dame has won the first half in each of its last 10 games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference at Notre Dame Stadium.
• Notre Dame has won the first quarter in each of its last seven games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference at Notre Dame Stadium.
• Each of Notre Dame’s last four games against non-AP-ranked teams at Notre Dame Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Notre Dame rank 14th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (16.4).
• Notre Dame rank 17th among FBS teams for points per game this season (35.9).

Randy’s Pick

The Pittsburgh Panthers are a below average team across the board, and they’re dreadful mainly offensively. Pitt is 115th in total offense and 88th in scoring offense. Pitt will play its third road game in its last four tries and is running into a Notre Dame side that’s had an extra week to prepare. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are one of the more balanced teams in the country, that includes being 17th in scoring offense and 14th in scoring defense. Pittsburgh’s defense can only do so much to keep itself in this game. Give me Notre Dame in a comfortable home win.