PITTSBURGH — Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi raised eyebrows this week when he declined to describe the 23rd-ranked Panthers’ showdown against No. 9 Notre Dame as a “must-win.”

Technically, Narduzzi was right. Pitt’s only path to the College Football Playoff is by winning the ACC championship.

Notre Dame has no such wiggle room. And the Fighting Irish played like it.

Jeremiyah Love ran for 147 yards and a score, Malachi Fields hauled in a pair of touchdown passes and Notre Dame bullied the Panthers 37-15 on Saturday.

The Irish (8-2) have won eight straight following an 0-2 start. If Notre Dame can avoid being upset by Syracuse or Stanford to end the regular season, it is likely heading back to the CFP after finishing runner-up to Ohio State a year ago.

Love gave his burgeoning Heisman Trophy

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