Luck of the Irish
Luck of the Irish Saturday the Pittsburgh Panthers head to South Bend to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as both teams look to break into the Top 25 polls. Odds makers are calling the Irish a 4 1/2 point favorite at home with total sitting at 49 1/2.

For Notre Dame, they need to be able to beat a top team. The 5-2 Irish have lost to the two top 25 caliber teams they've faced so far in Michigan State and North Carolina. They might have had a chance at doing so this Saturday if the previously ranked no. 17 Panthers hadn't lost to Rutgers at home 54-34 a week ago.

"They (the Irish) want to be a Top 25 team," said Irish head coach Charlie Weis. "You've got to beat the good teams that are on your schedule. I mean, it's really pretty simple."

Against Pitt the Irish will need to stretch the ball through the vertical passing game. A week ago, Rutgers quarterback Mike
Teel was able to throw six touchdown passes after having only three in his first seven games. Before last week, the Scarlett Knights were averaging just two touchdowns per game.

On the other hand, the Panthers must pound the ball on the ground with tailback LeSean McCoy. The sophomore running back has rushed for 835 yards and 14 touchdowns, his 119 yards per game ranks him 19th in the nation. McCoy can do it all, he has the lower-body strength to pick up yards between the tackles, is quick enough to turn the corner and shows a second gear when he gets a seam.

"There are few running backs who run inside and outside as impressively," Weis said. "They give him an opportunity to do both."

Weis' offense will be looking get ahead early and to take some of those opportunities away. If the Panthers have to play catch-up, they should struggle. Take the Fighting Irish and give the 4 1/2 points at home.