Notre Dame vs. Louisville Prediction
Will No. 9 Notre Dame struggle tonight when it goes on the road to face Louisville at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
217 Notre Dame vs. 218 Louisville
Monday, September 2, 2019
8PM ET – Cardinal Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Notre Dame is the clear favorite in this game, as the Fighting Irish are getting odds of -18.5 points against Louisville. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 55 points. The public betting currently has 76 percent going on Notre Dame as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Louisville a big underdog
The Louisville football team are coming off an awful 2018 season where it went just 2-10 on the year and 0-8 in the ACC. The program is starting over with Scott Satterfield taking over as head coach. He spent five years as head coach at Appalachian State, who was 51-24 with the Mountaineers. Louisville was just 1-11 against the spread last year and 8-4 with the over.
The Cardinals averaged only 19.8 points and 352.6 yards per game on offense last year. The team will need much better this year and could get it with Jawon Pass returning at QB. He threw for 1,960 yards and eight touchdowns last year. He has some top receivers back this year, led by Dez Fitzpatrick, who led the team in TD receptions. The team also has its top two rushers back from last year. Defensively, Louisville gave up 44.1 points and 483.6 yards per game last season. Eight starters are back on defense this season, hoping to improve on those numbers.
Irish coming off playoff appearance
Notre Dame is coming off a playoff appearance in 2018 where it was beaten soundly by Clemson, but the Fighting Irish were still 12-1 on the year. Brian Kelly enters his 10th season as head coach of Notre Dame. He is 81-35 in his time with the Irish. ND was 7-6-1 against the spread and 8-6 with the under.
The Irish had a great balance in the 2018 season. The defense gave up just 18.2 points and 347.4 yards per game and they bring back six starters this year. That includes three in the secondary. Offensively, Notre Dame put up 31.4 points and 440.1 yards per game last year. The Irish have seven starters back this year, including quarterback Ian Book. He threw for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Book has two of his top receivers back as well, but Notre Dame will have to find a new leading rusher with Dexter Williams moving on to the NFL.
College Football Betting Trends
Louisville
The Cardinals are just 6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 games on fieldturf and 3-13 ATS in their last 16 home games.
Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish were 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games in September.
Prediction:
Notre Dame is getting somewhat overlooked in the national title picture, but the Irish can definitely be a contender this year. They had a great defense in 2018 that should still be among the top tier in the nation this season. The Irish also have an experienced quarterback and haven’t had a lot of difficulty finding backs to work with. Louisville is a mess right now and it is going to take time to work through things. This is a tough opener to go with for Louisville. I think the Cardinals get overwhelmed.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Notre Dame -18.5
Related: Notre Dame vs. Louisville Total Prediction