FACTS & STATS: Site: Notre Dame Stadium (80,795) -- South Bend, Indiana. Television:NBC. Home Record: Pittsburgh 2-2, Notre Dame 4-0. Away Record: Pittsburgh 3-0, Notre Dame 1-2. Neutral Record: Pittsburgh 0-0, Notre Dame 0-0. Conference Record: Pittsburgh 2-1, Notre Dame 0-0. Series Record: Notre Dame leads, 44-18-1.

GAME NOTES: A couple of programs with identical records hook up in South Bend this weekend, as the Pittsburgh Panthers challenge the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Panthers enter the contest on a losing note, as they were upset by visiting Rutgers, 54-34, last weekend. It marked the second setback in seven games this season for the Panthers, whose two losses both came while they were ranked in the Top 25. The setback also put an end to a lengthy five-game win streak that included an upset of nationally-ranked South Florida. Pittsburgh has clearly been a better road than home team, posting a perfect 3-0 record on foreign soil thus far. As for Notre Dame, it notched its most convincing win of the season last weekend, a 33-7 blasting of Washington. It was the first win on the road and the third in the past four games overall for the Irish, which improved to 5-2 on the year. The squad now heads back home, where it has yet to taste defeat, holding a 4-0 record currently. Notre Dame also leads the all-time series with Pittsburgh, 44-18-1, and that includes a 42-21 triumph in the last meeting in 2005.

The Panthers have done a solid job on offense this season and they are currently turning in 28.7 ppg behind 395.7 total ypg. The unit has fared well on the ground (162.7 ypg) and through the air (233.0 ypg) and is converting 44 percent of its third down chances. Last weekend, Pitt rolled up 486 total yards of offense, but it still wasn't enough to keep up with Rutgers in a 54-34 setback. LeSean McCoy guided the Panthers in defeat with 146 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries. The explosive back has come on strong as the season has worn on and he has now rushed for 835 yards and an impressive 14 touchdowns in just seven games. Quarterback Bill Stull completed an efficient 16-of-22 tosses last weekend, but he was carted off the field with a concussion and neck injury. Stull has started every game for the Panthers this season and has completed 60.0 percent of his throws for 223.1 ypg. He, however, is listed as questionable and could give way to Pat Bostick, who started last season when Stull was out with an injury. Bostick completed 6- of-11 tosses for 69 yards and an interception in last weekend's loss.

Much like its offense, Pitt's defense has been sound this season and is holding foes to just 309.1 total ypg. The unit has done solid work against each the pass (187.1 ypg) and run (122.0 ypg), but could stand to improve greatly in the turnover department, forcing a mere eight thus far. The Panthers are also coming off a dreadful performance in which it allowed 442 total yards and 54 points to a Rutgers team that had struggled on offense. The defense was torched for 371 yards and six touchdowns through the air and generated only one turnover. Scott McKillop paced the squad in the setback with six stops and he also had one of the team's three sacks. On the year, McKillop tops the roster with 67 tackles and 10.5 TFLs and he also has four sacks to his name.

The Irish are a much improved team on offense from a year ago and they are gaining 122.7 rushing ypg and 262.6 passing ypg on the season. The team has also done well in protecting the quarterback, giving up only 11 sacks. The ability to keep the quarterback upright has certainly helped Jimmy Clausen, who has completed 60.8 percent of his throws for 261.7 ypg, with 15 touchdowns and nine picks. Last weekend, Clausen hit on 14-of-26 pass attempts for 201 yards and a score in leading Notre Dame to a 33-7 win over Washington. Michael Floyd hauled in four of those passes for 107 yards and a score, while Golden Tate had three catches for 47 yards. Floyd and Tate are tied for the team-lead with 31 receptions for the season and they have combined for 1,098 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Armando Allen leads the team's ground attack with 360 yards and he had 15 carries for 62 yards last weekend versus Washington.

Notre Dame has done a great job in keep opposing clubs off the scoreboard this season, as it is giving up only 18.7 ppg. The team is also limiting foes to 332.9 total ypg and that includes only 120.6 ypg on the ground. Last weekend, the Irish were on top of their game defensively, as they held Washington to only 124 total yards and a late touchdown. The unit surrendered a mere 26 rushing yards and just nine first downs, while registering four sacks. Harrison Smith had two sacks and five tackles in the victory, while Kyle McCarthy logged five stops. On the season, McCarthy leads Notre Dame with 61 stops, including 36 of the solo variety.

This should be an interesting affair, as both teams appear to be evenly matched. Pitt may be without its starting quarterback, so that advantage should go to Notre Dame. The Irish have also fared well at home and this could be a statement game for them to earn national recognition.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Notre Dame 27, Pittsburgh 23

Saturday, November 1st, 2:30 p.m. (et)