NCAAF Picks: Notre Dame saw a gain in respect both from the national polls and from the betting public after their close and controversial loss at defending national champion Florida State. The Fighting Irish are now a top tier playoff contender as a result of that defeat. Navy is Navy which means a tricky option offense and a fight to the final gun of every game.
The Midshipmen will face the Fighting Irish at Fed Ex Field, home of the NFL Washington Redskins, on Saturday. Coverage on CBS starts at 8 PM ET. Notre Dame opened as a 16-point favorite.
Resurgent Middies
Navy has won two in a row to now stand at 4-4 straight up, 3-5 against the spread, and 1-6 under the total. The Midshipmen are coming off a 41-31 home payout over San Jose State. As usual the Middies are an outstanding ground attack team and rank second in the nation for rushing yardage.
The Dome is Golden
Notre Dame is 6-1 SU, 5-2 ATS, and 2-5 under the total after a 31-27 loss at Florida State in which they scored a game winning TD pass that was called back by a questionable penalty call in the final seconds. The Irish defense is proven to be among the best in the nation and ranks 15th for points allowed. The return of QB Everett Golson after his 2013 season long suspension has proven to be exactly what the Irish offense has needed. Golson has a 19-6 TD-INT ratio and has shown good game management skills.
Matchup and NCAAF Picks
Notre Dame has shown good road value and has come away with the money in eight out of their last 12 away games. The Irish have gone under the total in 10 out of their last 14 away games.
Navy has also been a good betting value away from home with six payouts in their last nine way matchups. The Midshipmen have gone under the total in five out of their last eight away games.
Notre Dame has come away with the money in two out of their last three meetings with Navy. The Irish and Midshipmen have gone over the total in their last four meetings. We’ll call for Notre Dame and over the total.
