Notre Dame vs. Northwestern Total Pick
Can No. 4 Notre Dame take its offense on the road and pick up a high total when it faces Northwestern on Saturday at 7:15PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
355 Notre Dame at 356 Northwestern
Saturday, November 3, 2018
7:15PM ET – Ryan Field
TV: ESPN
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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 -9.5 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the game is listed at 53.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 54 percent going on 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.
Irish win another
The Notre Dame football team is rolling along, coming off a 44-22 win at Navy last weekend to move to 8-0 on the season. The Fighting Irish are 5-3 against the spread and 4-4 with the over/under. ND has hit the over in four of its last five games.
ND has a defense that has been locked in all season. The Irish are giving up just 19.1 points and 341.3 yards per game this year. Their run defense could be better, allowing nearly 150 yards per game, but their pass defense is top notch. Offensively, the Irish are putting up 34 points and 447.3 yards per game. Their rushing attack puts up nearly 190 yards per game. Ian Book has been a great addition to the offense. He has thrown for 1,481 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Miles Boykin has emerged as the top receiver with 36 catches for 570 yards and six touchdowns. Dexter Williams is the leading rusher with 512 yards and seven touchdowns.
Northwestern on a win streak
The Northwestern Wildcats have won four straight games, including a 31-17 victory over Wisconsin last weekend. The Wildcats are now 5-3 on the season, 4-3-1 against the spread and 4-4 with the over/under total. Northwestern has hit the under in two straight games.
The Wildcats are struggling on offense this year, averaging just 25.1 points and 371.3 yards per game. Their run game is a mess, averaging just 91.1 yards per contest as injuries have severely depleted their efforts. Clayton Thorson has done a lot despite the lack of a run game, throwing for 2,072 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he also has 10 interceptions. Flynn Nagel is his leading receiver with 59 catches for 711 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Northwestern is giving up 23.6 points and 366.8 yards per contest.
College Football Betting Trends
Notre Dame
Notre Dame has hit the over in four of its last five against Big Ten opponents and in 13 of its last 16 after accumulating more than 280 passing yards in their previous game.
Northwestern
Northwestern has hit the under in 40 of its last 53 home games and in 23 of its last 31 non-conference games.
Prediction:
Northwestern is one of those teams that won’t go away. The Wildcats find ways to be competitive in most contests, regardless of the competition. They play up to better competition and down to lesser competition. ND is definitely the better team on paper, but the Wildcats are at home for a night game. I would expect this game to be a physical grind. I don’t see the Irish being able to march right on the Wildcats. Touchdowns will be at a premium, as neither team should be able to establish much of a consistent run game.
College Football Prediction: Notre Dame/Northwestern Under 53.5