It’s no surprise that Notre Dame controls its own destiny for the college football playoff. Yet what is surprising is that Northwestern controls their own destiny for the Big Ten Conference championship. Extending all of that is the blue blood status of Notre Dame. Few programs bring more of a betting on college football marquee presence than the Fighting Irish. While that is true Notre Dame will be facing a dangerous Northwestern team. Initially the Wildcats got little attention in the preseason polls. But when they eviscerated Wisconsin last Saturday everyone took notice.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Northwestern Wildcats
Date and Time: Saturday, November 3, 2018, 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois
Betting on Football Betting Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | -9½ (-110) | 53½ (-110) |  |
| Northwestern | +9½ (-110) | 53½ (-110) | |
| |||
Notre Dame vs. Northwestern TV Coverage: ESPN
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Northwestern has a betting on college football record of 5-3 straight up and 4-3-1 vs. the odds. And then the Wildcats have split 4-4 on totals this season. Last week the Cats scored a 31-17 pummeling of Wisconsin as 3.5-point home dogs. And it was not an accident. The Badgers were rendered helpless at Ryan Field. On the whole Northwestern is greater than the sum of their parts. Consider they rank 99th for scoring offense and 46th for scoring defense. On the whole the Wildcats have lost just one of their last five games on the board.
Northwestern Wildcats
A clear difference between Northwestern and opponents is coach Pat Fitzgerald. A former Northwestern linebacker, Fitz has proven to be the perfect fit at Evanston. Despite NU being an academically elite school, he has his team in bowl contention every year. What’s more the Cats find ways to win despite never being in the top of the nation’s statistical categories.
Stats to Consider
Notre Dame has an offshore betting record of 8-0 straight up and 5-3 vs. the line with a 4-4 split on totals. Last Saturday the Irish scored a 44-22 payout against Navy. The game took place at San Diego. Certainly, Notre Dame has the hot hand with four payouts in their last five outings. Additionally, four of those games cleared the total. In turn the Irish rank 35th for scoring offense and 21st for scoring defense. Encompassing Notre Dame’s rise is quarterback Ian Book. To illuminate Book had a 170 rating with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Team vs. Team
Notre Dame has been a good value lately as a road chalk. For example, the Irish have paid in five of their last seven in that role. Seven of their last nine laying points on the road went over the number. Balanced against that is the fact Northwestern has been hot as a home dog. In fact, the Cats have paid in three straight in that situation. Five of their last six getting points at Ryan Field also went under the total.
Matchup to Watch
Although this is technically a home game for Northwestern at least half the stadium will have Notre Dame fans in the seats. More emphatically the Fighting Irish have the best player on the field in Book. But Northwestern has enough to stay within the Betting on college football line. Namely they got the money as a home dog against a strong Michigan team.
Notre Dame vs. Northwestern Betting on College Football Picks
To conclude Northwestern will be a scrappy home dog with proven ability to get the money.
Notre Dame vs. Northwestern Betting on College Football Pick: Northwestern Wildcats
Notre Dame vs. Northwestern Betting on College Football Score Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Northwestern 24
Catch highlights of Northwestern’s win over Wisconsin last week!