GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: For Pittsburgh to pull off a monumental upset of Notre Dame, its defense simply has to get off the field. The Panthers rank No. 114 in the FBS in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert 44.7 percent of the time. On the flipside, Notre Dame’s offense ranks No. 33 on third downs, converting 44.2 percent. Pittsburgh’s defense has been an area of concern this season, and giving up 34 points to Syracuse doesn’t quell those concerns.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Quintin Wirginis, a senior, tallied eight tackles against Syracuse, including one for a loss. Those marks tied for the second-best effort of the season, with the best coming in a nine-tackle, 2.5 for a loss showing against Penn State. Wirginis also forced a fumble against Syracuse that was returned for a touchdown.
ROSTER REPORT:
–DL Jaylen Twyman is questionable with a foot injury.
–DB Phil Campbell III is questionable with an illness.
–WR Taysir Mack is questionable with a foot injury.
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