Notre Dame's defense has hit it's stride and looks like a completely different unit that the one that took the field in their first three games of the season. The Irish now rank No. 17 in the country in points allowed, No. 15 in the country in rush defense, No. 3 in the country in interceptions, No. 18 in the country in sacks and No. 10 in the country in total turnovers gained. Since Purdue, they haven't allowed a team to score in the fourth quarter; as a team, Notre Dame has outscored their opponents 115-14 from Arkansas to Navy.
They'll be preparing to take on a Pittsburgh offense that has really found it's footing since replacing quarterback Eli Holstein with freshman Mason Heintschel. The Panthers on riding a five-game win streak and have scored 48, 34, 30, 53, and 35 points respectively in those matchups. This passing attack is legitimate ranking No. 11 in the country in yards per game and No. 7 in the country in passing touchdowns on the season. They have talent throughout the offense and it starts with their playmaking running back out of the backfield.
Running Back #0 Desmond Reid
Unfortunately, running back Desmond Reid has missed some time due to injury, but he's back healthy and has been a demon out of the backfield. The Pitt offensive line has struggled to generate a real push in the run game, but where Reid can hurt you the most is in the passing attack. In their upset win over Florida state, the 5-8, 175-pound running back caught eight passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Despite missing three games, Reid has 15 missed tackles forced on the season, four in the passing game and 11 in the run game. He's a hard ball carrier to bring down and can make legitimate plays as a receiver.
Matchup To Watch: Notre Dame's linebackers have struggled earlier in the season in pass coverage but have really turned it around throughout this win streak. Saturday afternoon, they'll be tested in a big way against Reid out of the backfield. Reid has been targeted 20 times this season, caught 17 passes and hasn't dropped one. The two main linebackers in coverage for the Irish have been Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. Both backers have been targeted a combined 37 times, allowed 26 receptions for 219 yards. This will be a major matchup to watch this weekend.
Wide Receiver #2 Kenny Johnson
Pitt's most productive wide receiver has been Kenny Johnson. The 6-1, 205-pound receiver has strung together really impactful performances since the quarterback change. Since Heintschel took over under center, Johnson has tallied 25 receptions, 396 yards and three touchdowns. He's been targeted 57 times in this offense; out of his 37 receptions, 25 of them have gone for first downs. Johnson does have three drops on the season but hasn't had any in the last two games. He takes the majority of his snaps split out wide.
Matchup To Watch: Cornerback Christian Gray has missed the last two games with a hip injury, but he's no longer listed on Notre Dame's injury report and will be back in the starting lineup this Saturday. Both Gray and boundary cornerback Leonard Moore will have their opportunities against Johnson who is the Panther's leading receiver. He's not the biggest receiver this cornerback duo has faced, but he's extremely productive and a go-to target in this offense.
Wide Receiver #4 Raphael Williams
Pitt's slot receiver Raphael Williams isn't too far behind Johnson in terms of production. He has one less catch, 48 less yards but has two more receiving touchdowns. Williams has also been impactful since the quarterback transition. Of his 35 receptions, 23 of them have gone for first downs and he's yet to drop a pass this year. Williams does the majority of his work out of the slot at 5-10, 165-pounds. He does his best work up to the point of the catch; Williams only has five missed tackles forced this season and only 154 of his 523 receiving yards have came after the catch. He's a threat down in the red zone which is a leading factor in him leading the team in touchdown receptions.
Matchup To Watch: Notre Dame's nickel corner DeVonta Smith is back in the starting lineup and healthy after battling back from a calf injury that sidelined him for a month. Smith, and true freshman Dallas Golden if he rotates in, will be matched up with Williams routinely throughout the afternoon. In five games this season, Smith has only allowed five catches on 10 targets. He hasn't allowed a receiving touchdown and has only missed one tackle in 157 defensive snaps played. Slot receivers has given the Irish several problems in the past; Smith will have to be prepared to get targeted in this game. Williams only has one less target (56) this season than Johnson, the team's leading receiver.
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