Notre Dame's offense has, for the most part, been the strength of this football team this season. As of today, they're the No. 9 ranked offense in scoring, No. 3 ranked offense is yards per play, No. 9 ranked offense in rushing touchdowns and No. 3 ranked offense in passer rating in the country. During their seven game win streak, the Irish have scored 56, 56, 28, 36, 34, 25 and 49 points respectively. This Saturday, they'll be tested when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the 7-2 Panthers.
Pitt has the No. 3 ranked rush defense in the country and No. 1 yards per rush defense in the country. They also rank No. 22 in the country in interceptions and No. 16 in yards per play allowed. The Panthers are riding a five game win streak and have held three of their last five opponents to 20 points or less. This is a defense Notre Dame's offense will have to be prepared for, and it starts with their best edge rushing defender up front.
Defensive End #44 Jimmy Scott
Defensive end Jimmy Scott has been Pitt's most productive edge rusher this season. The 6-3, 260-pound end currently leads the team in total pressures with 11. Scott also leads the team in sacks plus hits on the quarterback with 11 on the year. He's second on the team in tackles for a loss with 7.5 and has a 15 total tackles this season. Scott is also coming off of his best game of the season. In their last outing against Stanford on the road, he finished the game with four total pressures with two sacks and two hits on the quarterback. His ability to get after the passer will have to be accounted for Saturday afternoon.
Matchup To Watch: Notre Dame's offensive tackles have performed admirably throughout their win streak, but it's fair to say they also haven't faced extremely productive edge rushers in that time either. Left tackle Anthonie Knapp and right tackle Aamil Wagner have allowed a combined five total pressures from Purdue to Navy. That impressive streak will have to continue as they prepare to take on Pitt's most productive edge rusher.
Linebacker #9 Kyle Louis
In the preseason, we talked about how Pitt's linebacking corps would likely be the best unit the Notre Dame offense would face in the regular season, potentially the entire season. At the forefront of that conversation was 6-1, 220-pound backer Kyle Louis. Louis is currently tied second on the team in total tackles with 52. He's also third on the team with 5.5 tackles for a loss. Louis leads the team in interceptions, has one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and has tallied 21 total defensive stops this season. As good as he's been, Louis is vulnerable when targeted in the pass game. He's been targeted 37 times this season, allowed 26 receptions for 222 yards and allowed a touchdown.
Matchup To Watch: Running back Jeremiyah Love has been a nightmare for opposing defenses this season. He's one of the best players in college football and it looks like the only way to stop him from being productive is to simply not give him the football. Love has been a mismatch in the passing game throughout this season and already has 24 receptions for 254 yards and three receiving touchdowns this season. Slot receivers and tight ends will also have their opportunities against Louis in the passing attack. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will have to take advantage of that mismatch.
Linebacker #3 Rasheem Biles
One of the most productive players on the Panther's defense has been linebacker Rasheem Biles. He's second on the team in total tackles with 52, tied with Louis, and is second on the team in total defensive stops. Biles is also the team leader in tackles for a loss with 7.5, but what makes this even more impressive is that he's missed the last three games with an injury. He's expected to be back for the Notre Dame game this Saturday which bodes well for the Pitt defense. Biles is a 6-1, 220-pound backer that can make plays in all phases of the game and he's playing a lot more disciplined this season compared to last. He only has four missed tackles all season and hasn't allowed a receiving touchdown when dropping back into coverage.
Matchup To Watch: Biles is a player that Notre Dame will have to account for in all phases of the defense. He's been targeted 14 times this season, but hasn't allowed a single receiving touchdown and has one interception. Pitt has one of the best run defenses in the country which is aided by his 24 stops. Biles doesn't rush the passer much, but when he does he's extremely effective. He's tallied nine total pressures this season, but five of them have resulted in a a sack or hit on the quarterback. That's extremely efficient. Quarterback CJ Carr will have to account for Biles wherever and whenever he's on the field.
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