This week, Notre Dame will head to Pittsburgh for a non-conference game. The Irish remain in position for a College Football Playoff berth. However, if they are going to remain in a playoff spot, they will need to win out.
This week’s game against the Panthers will have ESPN College GameDay in town for the game in the Steel City. The Panthers are in the mix for the ACC Championship Game next month, but with this being a non-conference game, it’s not a vital one for them to win.
On Monday, head coach Pat Narduzzi had an unusual take on the game and the importance of it for Pittsburgh.
Pat Narduzzi’s Bizarre Answer About Notre Dame
Narduzzi was asked about the matchup with the Irish, one that has been lopsided on the scoreboard. He didn’t mince words with his answer about it being a must-win for his team.
“Absolutely not,” Narduzzi said. “It is not an ACC game. I’m glad you brought that up. It’s not an ACC game. I’d gladly get beat 103 or 110-10 in that game. They could put 100 up on us as long as we win the next two after that.”
For reference on his answer, in the last two matchups, Notre Dame has outscored Pittsburgh, 103-10. Still, that’s not really the answer you want a coach to give and a message to send to his team.
Pittsburgh is 7-2 going into the game and coming off their second bye of the season this past weekend. They are a double-digit underdog according to most oddsmakers. Regardless, that was a totally bizarre answer, to say the least.
Pittsburgh In the Mix For ACC Championship Game
Whether or not Pittsburgh beats Notre Dame, their only path to the College Football Playoff is through winning the ACC Championship Game. After hosting the Irish this week, they head to Atlanta next weekend to play Georgia Tech. Assuming the Yellow Jackets beat Boston College this upcoming weekend, it will be an elimination game for next month in Charlotte.
Pitt will host Miami in their regular-season finale on Thanksgiving Weekend. If they can upset Georgia Tech and the Hurricanes, they would end up in the ACC Championship Game. Their opponent could be any handful of teams, but if they win their last two games and the ACC Championship Game, then losing to Notre Dame won’t matter.
Still, Narduzzi had a bizarre answer to the question. The ACC is a complete mess at the top of the standings. There is still a lot of football left to be played, with several teams alive for Charlotte on the first Saturday in December. Pitt, Georgia Tech, SMU, and Virginia are all 5-1, with Duke 4-1. Virginia is at Duke this weekend, while Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech play the following weekend.
Things will play themselves out over the final three weeks, but Narduzzi answering the question the way he did about Notre Dame is just bizarre. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers respond to their coach’s quote on Saturday in a highly anticipated matchup.
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