Irish have plenty to fix, starting with red-zone woes

Notre Dame's trip to No. 8 Pittsburgh lost significant luster when the Irish dropped out of the Associated Press Top 25 after being upset by Navy at home last Saturday.

Still, ABC will beam this prime-time game to most of the nation.

''I don't think the country really feels that Notre Dame is one of the top teams in the country and has much of a chance this week,'' Irish coach Charlie Weis said.

''So we're not going to say much about it because we're not in a position to say much about it. We've just come off a heartbreaking [23-21] loss. The guys in the locker room need to come together and hopefully show something.''

Particularly in the red zone. The Irish uncharacteristically came up empty on four of six trips inside the 20-yard line against Navy. Those four scoreless possessions matched their total red-zone futility in the previous eight games.

Weis was sarcastic when asked how the team would rectify its problems.

''We're going to try not to fumble on the 1; we're going to try not to throw an interception inside the 5,'' Weis said, referring to quarterback Jimmy Clausen's turnovers against the Midshipmen. ''Then we're going to try to make field goals when we're on the 14-yard line. That takes care of a few of them. And then, fourth-and-three, if we go for it, we're going to try to score a touchdown. Or maybe just kick the field goal instead.

''We're also going to try not to have two wide receivers off the line of scrimmage and have an illegal formation. We'll try to do all those things.''

Notre Dame's defense will try to contain running back Dion Lewis, Pitt's freshman phenom who has rushed for 1,139 yards and 12 touchdowns on 203 carries (5.6-yard average).

''He's not a real big guy, but for his size, he runs with a whole heck of a lot of power and has great balance and shiftiness to his running,'' Irish senior safety Kyle McCarthy said. ''He certainly doesn't look like a freshman. You watch film, and he's definitely one of the top backs, if not the top back, that we've played this year.''

It might be wise for Notre Dame to get wide receiver Golden Tate more involved from the start. That didn't happen last week, when Tate had three passes thrown to him in the first half, two of which were incomplete in the red zone. His one reception was for five yards.

''Golden Tate is the best player in the country, by far,'' Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said.

Asked if that was just game-week speak, Wannstedt qualified his praise.

''Of all the opponents we've played and all the tape I've watched this year, he's the best all-around player I've seen,'' he said. ''He's unbelievable.''

NOTRE DAME AT NO. 8 PITT