The Ball State Cardinals and No. 12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will go head-to-head on the turf of Notre Dame Stadium. Kickoff for this game is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and NBC is scheduled to televise the action.
Ball State Cardinals at Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Preview
Notre Dame is the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 34 points to Ball State. If the Cardinals get out in front early it will generate a worthy live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 61 points.
The over is getting most of the early sharp action, as the game’s total originally opened at just 59.
The Cardinals have gained 1.0 unit so far in 2018 and are 1-0 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 0-0. The Fighting Irish are up 1.4 units this season. The team is 1-0 ATS and has an O/U record of 0-1.
The Cardinals are 1-0 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Fighting Irish are also 1-0 SU.
The Cards are hoping to stay unbeaten following a 42-6 win over Central Connecticut State last week in which the Cardinals completed 28-of-36 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Riley Neal went 23-for-30 for 259 yards and two touchdowns while Drew Plitt completed five-of-six for 77 yards and one touchdown. James Gilbert (100 rushing yards on 14 attempts, one TD) and Markice Hurt Jr. (43 yards on 10 carries) led the ground attack while Justin Hall (five receptions, 38 yards) and Riley Miller (four catches, 65 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Notre Dame is coming off of a 24-17 win over Michigan. The team’s allowed the Wolverines to pass for 249 yards and rush for 58 more. Karan Higdon had a productive outing in the defeat for Michigan, accounting for 72 rushing yards and a score on 21 attempts. For Notre Dame, Brandon Wimbush completed 12-of-22 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Wimbush (59 rushing yards on 19 attempts) and Jafar Armstrong (35 yards on 15 carries, two TDs) handled the running game as Chase Claypool (three receptions, 47 yards) and Chris Finke (three catches, 55 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
If 2017’s results are any indication, then it seems like the Irish might hold an edge in all aspects of the ground game, as their running backs logged 6.3 yards per carry last season while the defense allowed 4.0 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Cardinals rushed for 3.8 yards per carry last year while allowing 5.0 YPC to opponents..
Betting Pick: Ball State Cardinals vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SU Winner – Notre Dame, ATS Winner – Ball State, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
Notre Dame has lost zero fumbles this season while Ball State has lost one
Ball State created 15 rushing touchdowns last season.
Notre Dame put up a whopping 35 rushing touchdowns last season.
The Ball State offensive line yielded 33 sacks last season. Their defense created 24 sacks.
Notre Dame O-line gave up 29 sacks last year. Their defense logged 24 sacks
Ball State only threw for 11 passing touchdowns last season.
Notre Dame threw for 20 passing touchdowns last season.
The Notre Dame defensive unit has recorded three sacks on the year while Ball State has 1.
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