The Wildcats (+8) are set to host the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-8) at Northwestern. Kickoff for this key game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET and ESPN has the TV rights.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
In this Saturday game, Notre Dame is labeled as the favorite and is currently giving up 8 points. The Fighting Irish are also receiving -340 moneyline odds while the Wildcats are +260. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 52.5 points. If the underdog gets out in front in the early stages, it’ll likely create a nice in-game betting opportunity.
Sharp bettors have been leaning toward both the Fighting Irish and the over. This opening line was originally 7 and the total was initially set at 51.5.
Each team has posted a good return this year as the Fighting Irish have gained 5.3 units while the Wildcats are up 5.3 units.
The Fighting Irish have gone 8-0 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Wildcats are 5-3 SU.
The Fighting Irish are looking to remain undefeated after a 44-22 win over Navy last week. The Irish defense allowed the Midshipmen to rush for 292 yards on 48 attempts, including three rush TDs. On the offensive side, Ian Book completed 27 passes on 33 attempts for 330 yards, two scores and one interception. Dexter Williams (142 rushing yards on 23 attempts, three TDs) and Jafar Armstrong (52 yards on nine carries, one TD) mounted the running attack while Armstrong (five receptions, 64 yards) and Chase Claypool (five catches, 57 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Northwestern just earned a 31-17 win over Wisconsin. Clayton Thorson completed 17-of-30 passes for 167 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Isaiah Bowser (117 yards on 34 rush attempts, one TD) mounted the running attack while Cameron Green (five receptions, 31 yards) and Bennett Skowronek (four catches, 73 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Notre Dame’s run the ball on 58.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Northwestern has an overall rush percentage of 44.3 percent. The Fighting Irish have produced 189 rush yards per game and have 20 scores on the ground this year. The Wildcats are totaling 91 rushing yards per game and have 15 total rush TDs.
It seems like the Fighting Irish ought to hold an edge in terms of efficiency in the ground game, as their backfield has logged 4.4 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.9 YPC to opponents. The Wildcats have recorded 2.6 yards per carry and allowed 4.3 YPC to opponents.
The Irish offensive scheme has logged 259 yards per contest in the air overall and has 14 passing scores so far. The Wildcats have put up 280 pass yards per contest and have 10 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Notre Dame should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 147 yards and throw for 194 yards per game. The Northwestern defense has allowed 220.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 146.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Irish are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.91 to opponents, while the Wildcats have given up a 5.61 ANY/A.
Offensively, Book is up to 1,217 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has connected on 104-of-138 attempts with 11 scores through the air and only two interceptions. He’s got a 9.32 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 7.46 over the last two games.
Clayton Thorson has completed 176-of-284 passes for 1,922 yards, 10 TDs and 10 INTs for Northwestern. His ANY/A stands at 5.24 for the season and 2.62 over his past two games.
RELATED: Week 10 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free NCAA Betting Tip: Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Northwestern Wildcats
SU Winner – Notre Dame, ATS Winner – Notre Dame, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
As a team, Notre Dame has averaged 4.4 yards per carry across its past three outings and 4.1 over its last two.
Northwestern has averaged 2.9 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 3.2 over its past two.
Both teams have lost two fumbles this season.
Both passing attacks have produced four pass plays of 40+ yards. The Fighting Irish have have made 12 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Wildcats have created nine such plays.
The Notre Dame defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Northwestern has given up five such plays.
The Notre Dame offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Northwestern has created six such runs.
The Fighting Irish defense has allowed eight rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Wildcats have given up 12 such runs.
The Notre Dame defense has 17 sacks on the year while Northwestern has 12.
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