In a matchup that showcases two teams that are nationally ranked in the Top 19 overall, the No. 19 Michigan Wolverines (-1) are ready to host the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff for this crucialshowdown is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and spectators can witness the action live on ABC.
Betting Preview: Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
In this Saturday game, Michigan has been projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 1 point. The Fighting Irish are also receiving -105 moneyline odds while the Wolverines are -115. There will likely be multiple good live betting opportunities while this game’s underway, and oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 48.5 points.
With the line opening at -3 and the O/U set initially at 48, the betting odds have shifted a little.
The Fighting Irish are 4-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.0 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an Over-Under mark of 2-4.
The Wolverines have lost 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-4 ATS and own an O/U record of 5-2.
The Fighting Irish are 5-1 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Wolverines are 5-2 SU.
The Fighting Irish just notched a 30-27 victory over USC on October 12. The Irish defense allowed the Trojans to rush for 171 yards on 35 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Offensively, Ian Book completed only 17-of-32 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown. Tony Jones Jr (176 rushing yards on 25 attempts) and the signal-caller Book (49 yards on 12 carries, one TD) led the ground attack. Cole Kmet (six receptions, 61 yards, one TD) and Chris Finke (five catches, 45 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
A week ago, Penn State got the victory against this Michigan crew by a score of 28-21. Shea Patterson completed 24-of-41 passes for 276 yards and one interception. Zach Charbonnet (81 yards on 15 rush attempts, two TDs) and Hassan Haskins (28 yards on 13 carries) mounted the running game while Nico Collins (six receptions, 89 yards) and Donovan Peoples-Jones (five catches, 46 yards) led the receiving corps in the loss.
Breaking down the offensive play-calling, each of these squads sports a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Notre Dame has run the ball on 54.1 percent of its offensive possessions while Michigan has a rush percentage of 55.1. The Fighting Irish have rushed for 188.5 yards per game and have 13 scores on the ground this year. The Wolverines are logging 154 rushing yards per game and have 17 total rush TDs.
The Irish offense has averaged 262 yards through the air overall and has 16 passing scores so far. The Wolverines have recorded 237.6 pass yards per game and have 10 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Notre Dame has allowed 151 rush yards and 195.2 pass yards per game. The Michigan defense has allowed 163.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 119.7 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Irish have given up an ANY/A of 4.21 to opposing QBs, while the Wolverines are allowing an ANY/A of 4.3.
Book probably has the advantage over Patterson in this one, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 7.46for the year (and 10.28 over the past two outings). Patterson’s ANY/A is 6.14 for the year and 7.47 over his last two games.
When these two schools faced one another a year ago, Notre Dame knocked off Michigan by a touchdown 24-17.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Wolverines Free Prediction
SU Winner: Notre Dame, ATS Winner: Notre Dame, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The O/U for Notre Dame’s last game going into it was 59. The under cashed in the team’s 30-27 triumph over USC.
- As a team, Notre Dame has averaged 5.9 yards per rush attempt over its last three contests and 6.6 over its last two.
- Michigan has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.9 over its last two.
- The Michigan offense has lost nine fumbles this season while Notre Dame has lost two.
- Over its last three matches, Notre Dame is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Michigan’s last matchup was 47. The over cashed in the 28-21 defeat to Penn State.
- In its last three contests, Michigan is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Fighting Irish offense has created five pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Wolverines have accounted for four such plays.
- Both defenses have allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards and seven pass plays of 30+ yards.
- The Notre Dame offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Michigan has created four such runs.
- The Fighting Irish defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Wolverines have given up six such runs.
- The Michigan D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 22 times this season. Notre Dame has recorded 18 sacks.
