Notre Dame football score predictions: Irish vs. Pittsburgh national picks

No. 9 Notre Dame (7-2) faces No. 22 Pitt (7-2) at noon ET on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Irish are 12.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM.

Here’s what the national experts think will happen when the Irish take on the Panthers.

On3 (J.D. PicKell): Notre Dame 30, Pitt 22

“I think we see the mature Notre Dame. I think we see CJ Carr taking care of the football in this spot, not the moment being too big for him. I think honestly, too, go back to the games [the Irish] played already this year: Miami, A&M. I know they were both losses, but we talk about the heavy bar, having a good level of resistance for your football team at different points throughout the year. I think that serves them well in this game, plus the USC win.

“I think Notre Dame ends up winning the football game. I think that Pitt actually keeps it close. Could be a little backdoor action here, but I think Pitt actually covers.”

Source: Notre Dame vs Pitt PREDICTION

Fox Sports: Notre Dame 20, Pitt 16

“Pitt is getting 12.5. And again, matchup. Matchup, matchup, matchup. They’re great stopping the run. Great stopping the run. No. 1 defense in the country when it comes to yards per carry allowed. They’re facing a team in Notre Dame that has to run the football. We don’t know what we’re gonna get from their quarterback, even though he’s really talented. Notre Dame wins the game. They win it. But they don’t win it by 12.5.” — Joel Klatt

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Pro Football Focus (Max Chadwick): Notre Dame 31, Pitt 24

“It’s worth mentioning, Pitt has one of the best run defenses in college football this season. They’re currently second in the country in run defense grade, only behind Texas Tech. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have their work cut out for this one, so it could turn into a game where CJ Carr has to win and Mason Heintschel has to win for Pitt as well. I think CJ Carr will out-duel Mason Heintschel.”

Source: Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh Preview & Prediction | PFF College Football Show

Pro Football Focus (Dalton Wasserman): Notre Dame 30, Pitt 27

“I am gonna take [the Irish]. I think they are the better team. It’s gonna be tough going in there, into that environment. It’s gonna be charged up, and Pitt’s been red hot since they put Heintschel in there. I think the run defense gives them a chance.

“I do think a difference in this game, if Pitt is gonna come out and A. Keep this close and B. Even win it: Notre Dame’s offense in the red zone has been kind of inconsistent, especially CJ Carr in the red zone. They’re gonna have to be able to finish drives and put 7s instead of 3s on the board against this defense, because you’re only gonna get so many opportunities.”

Source: Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh Preview & Prediction | PFF College Football Show

Bleacher Report: Notre Dame 31, Pitt 23

“Since making the switch to freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel, Pitt has rattled off five straight wins and scored 30-plus points in each one. Pitt also is atop the country at 2.4 yards allowed per rush attempt. Notre Dame is facing a serious test — one it should pass, but might be strained doing so.” — David Kenyon

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Athlon Sports: All three experts pick Fighting Irish

Steven Lassan: Fighting Irish
Thomas Neumann: Fighting Irish
Kyle Wood: Fighting Irish

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USA TODAY Sports: Five of six experts pick Fighting Irish

Matt Hayes: Fighting Irish
Jordan Mendoza: Fighting Irish
Paul Meyerberg: Fighting Irish
Erick Smith: Fighting Irish
Eddie Timanus: Panthers
Blake Toppmeyer: Fighting Irish

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Josh Pate: Irish win and cover

“I have to see Pitt do this to believe it. I think Notre Dame’s playing some really good ball right now. I’m sure there will be a big public side in this game. I’m sure a lot of the public will bet Notre Dame. I just happen to be with the public. I just visualize a lot more frequently, if I simulate it 100 times, I just see [the Irish] comfortably winning a whole lot more than I see this thing going down to the wire.”

Source: Notre Dame vs Pitt…Preview & Prediction – Josh Pate’s College Football Show

CBS Sports (Richard Johnson): Irish win, but Panthers cover

“I think Notre Dame wins this game, but I do think it’s close. … I think this is probably a one-score game here, where Notre Dame has to grind out a victory against a Pitt team that really wants to get this done in a massive home spot with a rabid crowd at Acrisure Stadium. So [Fighting Irish], close.”

Source: No. 9 Notre Dame vs No. 22 Pittsburgh Preview: Predictions and Best Bets | College Football Week 12

CBS Sports (Adam Breneman): Notre Dame 28, Pitt 10

“This feels like a perfect storm for Pitt to pull it out, right? You got everyone in town, national television, after a five-game heater they’re on. But Notre Dame just has too much firepower. Notre Dame’s got one of the best running back rooms in America, as Richard just said. It all runs through Jeremiyah Love. The offensive line and the run game opens up everything for CJ Carr, their quarterback. You can see this offense start to suffocate defenses with their balance and their tempo.

“Yes, Pitt’s a great story and I think they do hang around early in this game. But over four quarters, [the Irish are] too physical. They’re gonna wear down this Pitt defense, and Marcus Freeman‘s team is gonna keep their playoff dreams alive.

Source: No. 9 Notre Dame vs No. 22 Pittsburgh Preview: Predictions and Best Bets | College Football Week 12