Notre Dame beats Pitt, is destined to lose to Bama in January

2018 is the new 2012.

In 2012, Notre Dame rolled to the BCS Championship Alabama and lost 42-12. That would not have happened if not for a narrow Irish win against Pitt at home.

History may or may not be (read: is) repeating itself in 2018, now that the Irish have beaten the Panthers 19-14 in South Bend. Let me explain.

In 2012, you’ll recall that Pitt almost beat unbeaten Notre Dame in South Bend, but didn’t because of a missed field goal in overtime.

The Irish were 8-0 and ranked No. 4 in that game. They trailed late in regulation, tied the game, and then fumbled on their possession in double overtime.

That gave Pitt kicker Kevin Harper a chance to win it with a 33-yard field goal. He missed it, prolonging Notre Dame’s unbeaten season:

The Irish won in the next overtime and stayed unbeaten until they saw Alabama in the BCS Championship, at which point the whole world saw what happened.

2018’s game unfolded along similar contours.

The Irish were 6-0 and ranked No. 5.

Pitt led for almost the entire game. The Panthers scored on a 17-play, 88-yard drive on their opening possession and played from ahead until the fourth quarter.

Twice, Pitt had chances to extended its lead with makable field goals:

• An Alex Kessman 47-yard field goal in the third quarter missed.
• An Alex Kessman 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter missed.

Pitt would’ve led 20-12 if both had gone through. But neither did, so when Ian Book threw a long touchdown to Miles Boykin with some five minutes left, it put the Irish ahead.

The Panthers squandered a late chance to win anyway. After stopping Notre Dame on downs at the Pitt 36 with 2:35 to play, the Panthers moved backward 14 yards on four plays and saw their upset bid fall short.

The future No. 3-seeded Irish will now face No. 1 Alabama in Santa Clara, Calif., on Jan. 7, in the Playoff National Championship.

Alabama will win by six touchdowns. It has been ordained.