Fansided

5 potential college football upsets on the horizon

By Stu White

Oct 31, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Taniela Tupou (90) celebrates with his team after Washington defeated the Arizona Wildcats 49-3 at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Taniela Tupou (90) celebrates with his team after Washington defeated the Arizona Wildcats 49-3 at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nathan Peterman (4) looks to pass the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Tar Heels won 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nathan Peterman (4) looks to pass the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Tar Heels won 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Pittsburgh Panthers

Date: Saturday, Nov. 7

The last few games between the Fighting Irish and the Panthers have been tight, decided by an average of 4.5 points, and don’t expect this Saturday’s battle to be any different. This won’t be one of those flashy, air-it-out affairs; it’ll be a tough, physical game, and as good as Notre Dame has looked this year, the Panthers are the sort of hard-nose team that can go toe to toe with Fighting Irish.

It has been a frustrating 2015 season for the Panthers, and huge upset win on Saturday would go a long way toward lifting fans’ spirits. Pitt’s star running back James Conner, who as a sophomore in 2014 rushed for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns on a great 5.9 yards per carry, went down with a season-ending knee injury during the first game of the year, hobbling a Pitt rushing attack that finished 2014 ranked 18th in the country in rushing, averaging 249.46 yards per game (this year the Panthers are ranked 69th). That means quarterback Nate Peterman, who has thrown for 1,373 yards and ten touchdowns this season, will have to play well against a Notre Dame defense ranked 33rd in the country against the pass. Expect to see Peterman target Tyler Boyd, whose average of 82.6 receiving yards per game is best in the ACC.

When Notre Dame has the ball, keep an eye on their red-zone offense, which has been lackluster this season. The one-loss Fighting Irish are 98th in the country in red-zone offense, only scoring touchdowns 58 percent of the time. Pitt has a physical defense, as is to be expected for any team coached by Pat Narduzzi, and that unit will need to step up if the Panthers want to win.

Having been off since last Thursday, the Panthers will be a little more rested than the Fighting Irish, and both on- and off-field controversies have been swirling around Notre Dame this week. Will Notre Dame’s luck finally run out this Saturday? Vegas has the Fighting Irish favored by over a touchdown, but don’t be surprised if Pitt gives them a run for their money.

Next: Navy Midshipmen at Houston Cougars

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