Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest Total Pick
Will No. 8 Notre Dame continue to struggle to find offense when the Fighting Irish go on the road this afternoon to play Wake Forest at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
343 Notre Dame at 344 Wake Forest
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Noon ET – BB&T Field
TV: ABC
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Notre Dame is favored on the road, as the Fighting Irish are getting odds of -7 points against Wake Forest. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 59.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 60 percent backing Notre Dame on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Wake Forest looking to bounce back
Wake Forest started with wins over Tulane and Towson and then suffered a 41-34 loss at home to Boston College last week. The Demon Deacons are 2-1 on the year and 0-3 against the spread. They have hit the over in two of three games this year overall and in both home games.
The Demon Deacons are putting up 36 points and 542 yards per contest on offense this year through a balanced attack of air and ground. Sam Hartman has thrown for 834 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions. Cade Carney has 300 rushing yards with two scores while Greg Dortch has 28 catches for 336 yards. Defensively, Wake is allowing 26 points and 456.7 yards per game. They are giving up 310 passing yards per contest.
Irish winning, but not easy
Notre Dame picked up a 22-17 win over Vanderbilt last week to improve to 3-0. All three wins have come by single digits as they are 1-2 against the spread and have hit the under in all three games. The Irish have hit the under in seven straight games as a program.
ND has been led by its defense, which is allowing just 16.7 points and 358.7 yards per game. Their run defense is allowing just 107 yards per contest. On offense, the Irish are scoring 23.3 points per game while posting 365.3 yards per contest. Quarterback Brandon Wimbush has thrown for 589 yards and a touchdown, but has four interceptions. He has also run for 136 yards. Tony Jones Jr. is leading the ground attack with 224 rushing yards.
College Football Betting Trends
Wake Forest
Wake Forest has hit the under in six of its last seven against Independent teams and they have hit the over in four straight after a loss.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame has hit the under in its last four road games and in six straight against a team with a winning record.
Prediction:
I think the total is far too high in this one. Notre Dame has proven it is going to play to the level of its competition and the games are going to be ugly to watch. The Irish have a defense that can limit most teams and Wake Forest should be no different in that. However, the ND offense is just not that good, or at least not that explosive. They have struggled against lesser defenses than what Wake Forest will bring at home.
College Football Prediction: Notre Dame/Wake Forest Under 59.5
Related: Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest Spread Prediction