The No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-8.5) and Wake Forest Demon Deacons are ready to do battle on the turf at BB&T Field. Fans are able to catch the action live on ABC and the crucial daytime game is scheduled to get going at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
In this Saturday matchup, Notre Dame is getting picked as the big favorite and is currently giving up 8.5 points. The Fighting Irish are also receiving -350 moneyline odds while the Demon Deacons are +270. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 55.5 points. If Notre Dame falls behind early, it will likely generate a nice live betting opportunity.
The early action has shifted in favor of the Fighting Irish, as the line opened at 7. The game’s O/U has not moved after it was initially posted at 55.5.
The Fighting Irish have recorded 2.4 units so far and are 1-2 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U mark of 0-3.
The Demon Deacons have gained 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 0-3 ATS and own an O/U record of 2-1.
The Fighting Irish are 3-0 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Demon Deacons are 2-1 SU.
The Fighting Irish are looking to stay unbeaten after a 22-17 win over Vanderbilt last week. Brandon Wimbush completed only 13-of-23 passes for 122 yards. Wimbush (84 yards on 19 rush attempts, one TD) also mounted the ground attack and was complemented by Tony Jones Jr. (118 yards on 17 carries). Chris Finke (five receptions, six yards) and Alize Mack (three catches, 25 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
A week ago, Boston College took care of this Wake Forest team by a score of 41-34. Sam Hartman completed 20-of-45 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Matt Colburn II (117 rushing yards on 23 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Hartman (65 yards on 19 carries) led the running game while Greg Dortch (nine receptions, 93 yards) and Sage Surratt (three catches, 50 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Notre Dame’s run the ball on 63.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Wake Forest has an overall rush percentage of 56.1 percent. The Fighting Irish have run for 164.7 yards per game and have six touchdowns on the ground this year. The Deacs are averaging 264.0 rush yards per game and have four total rushing TDs.
If 2018 numbers are any indication, then it’s looking like the Deacs ought to be the more disruptive team in the trenches. Their offensive line has given up only five sacks while the D-line has registered nine sacks. The Fighting Irish offensive line has given up six sacks and their defense has logged only five sacks.
The Irish offensive scheme has logged 200.7 yards per contest through the air overall and has two passing scores so far. The Deacs have recorded 278.0 pass yards per game and have six total pass TDs.
Defensively, Notre Dame seems to have the upper hand in both phases. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 107.0 yards and pass for 251.7 yards per game. The Wake Forest defense has given up 310.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 146.7 yards per game on the ground. The Irish are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.24 to opponents, while the Deacs have given up an 8.45 ANY/A.
Offensively, Wimbush has amassed 292 passing yards this year, and has connected on 56 percent of his 45 attempts with one passing scores and one interception. He has a 5.30 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.47 over the last two games.
Sam Hartman has completed 51-of-96 passes for 592 yards, four TDs and four INTs for Wake Forest. His ANY/A sits at 4.60 for the season and 4.95 over his last two games.
When these two squads met a year ago, Notre Dame emerged victorious by a final score of 48-37.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Wake Forest Demon Deacons Free Pick
SU Winner: Wake Forest, ATS Winner: Wake Forest, O/U: Under
