Syracuse (8-2) vs Notre Dame (10-0)
When: Saturday, November 17th 2018
Where: Yankee Stadium,
Bronx, New York
Time: 2:30 ET | TV: NBC
Opening Odds: Notre Dame -10/65.5
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have put themselves in great position to earn a berth in the College Football Playoff, but must get past two more obstacles to make that dream a reality. First up, the 12th-ranked Syracuse Orange from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Both teams are coming off easy wins against lame-duck opponents as Notre Dame throttled Florida State, while Syracuse took care of a hapless Louisville team. Senior quarterback Brandon Wimbush led the Irish route of the Seminoles, getting the start in place of the injured Ian Book and didn’t disappoint. The former starter threw for three touchdowns and Notre Dame took care of the Seminoles 42-13. Syracuse has been one of the biggest surprises this season and have won four straight after back-to-back road losses against Pittsburgh and Clemson. Syracuse, which finished 6-0 at the Carrier Dome this season, will close out the regular season on the road against No. 22 Boston College next week. The Irish, who are 8-0 in neutral site ‘home games’, will be at Southern California next Saturday night.
Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey ran for two scores and threw for another against Louisville and has 14 passing touchdowns and 12 more on the ground in this his senior season. Dungey is second on the team in rushing behind Moe Neal, who had a career-high 159 yards against Louisville to help lead the Orange to a total of 326 yards on the ground. Syracuse’s defense is ranked just 97th in the nation overall, but did force four Louisville turnovers last week and will be challenged on Saturday against an Irish offense that averages around 200 rushing yards per game. The Orange can score, however, as they are ranked seventh in the nation at 44.4 points per contest.
Head coach Brian Kelly said that Book will reclaim his starting role this week assuming doctors give him the OK. He announced last Sunday that he was planning to start Book against the Orange. Book leads the nation in completion percentage (74.5 percent), is fourth in passing efficiency (170) and has thrown for 1,824 yards and 15 touchdowns to just four interceptions. The Irish defense has been pretty consistent all season, never allowing more than 27 points and are 24th in yards allowed per game (330.1).
Syracuse is ready for this game. They have been playing much better than anyone anticipated and have the offense to keep up with the Irish. I’m not saying they will win, but I do think they keep this close. There’s a lot of pressure on Notre Dame to stay perfect.
Pick: Syracuse +10.5
Betting Trends:
- Orange are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
- Orange are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Orange are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
- Orange are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Orange are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win.
- Orange are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
- Orange are 8-2-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS win.
- Orange are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
- Orange are 9-3 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Orange are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
- Orange are 7-3-2 ATS in their last 12 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Orange are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Fighting Irish are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Fighting Irish are 3-0-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Fighting Irish are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
- Fighting Irish are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
- Fighting Irish are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
- Fighting Irish are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Fighting Irish are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win.
- Fighting Irish are 8-20-1 ATS in their last 29 games in November.
- Over is 4-0-1 in Orange last 5 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1 in Orange last 5 games overall.
- Under is 4-1 in Orange last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Over is 4-1-1 in Orange last 6 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Orange last 5 games on grass.
- Under is 4-1 in Orange last 5 neutral site games.
- Under is 12-5-1 in Orange last 18 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 7-3-1 in Orange last 11 games in November.
- Under is 9-4 in Orange last 13 games following a straight up win.
- Over is 4-0 in Fighting Irish last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 4-0 in Fighting Irish last 4 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 6-1 in Fighting Irish last 7 games overall.
- Over is 6-1 in Fighting Irish last 7 non-conference games.
- Over is 6-1 in Fighting Irish last 7 games following a straight up win.
- Over is 4-1 in Fighting Irish last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Under is 7-2 in Fighting Irish last 9 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 17-7 in Fighting Irish last 24 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
