College Football Predictions: Can Notre Dame cover vs. N.C. State?
Will No. 9 Notre Dame cruise to another lopsided win when the Irish play host to No. 14 N.C. State today at 3:30PM ET? Here’s our College Football Predictions for this one.
ODDS
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Notre Dame is favored at home in this game, as the Fighting Irish are getting odds of -6.5 points against the Wolfpack. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 58 points. N.C. State has won and covered the spread in the last two meetings with Notre Dame. The public is currently putting 59 percent of the wagers on Notre Dame at home. Today’s game takes place from Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana and will air live on NBC.
NOTRE DAME
Notre Dame is coming off a 49-14 win at home over USC last week to move to 6-1 on the season. The Irish are 6-1 against the spread as well, covering in all six wins. ND is putting up an impressive 41.3 points and 475 yards per game right now. The run game has been dominant, averaging 317.9 yards per game. Josh Adams has 967 rushing yards with eight touchdowns to lead the team while Brandon Wimbush has 508 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground while passing for 903 yards and eight scores. Defensively, ND is holding opponents to just 16.4 points and 361.4 yards per game.
N.C. STATE
N.C. State is coming off a 35-17 win at Pittsburgh two weeks ago to improve to 6-1 on the season. The Wolfpack are just 3-4 against the spread this season, but 2-0 ATS on the road. N.C. State has a pretty good defense, holding opponents to just 22.7 points and 378.3 yards per game. Their run defense is allowing only 91.3 yards per game. On offense, the Wolfpack are putting up 35.4 points and 467.4 yards per game. Ryan Finley is having a great year, throwing for 1,968 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the offense. Kelvin Harmon has 36 catches for 547 yards and two scores while Nyheim Hines has run for 648 yards and six scores.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS
N.C. State has been pretty impressive this season, but the Wolfpack haven’t faced a litany of great teams. Their run defense has been tough, but I don’t think they have faced a ground attack like what Notre Dame has. The Irish have managed to dismantle some pretty good teams like USC and Michigan State. Their only loss was to Georgia, and I don’t think N.C. State has Georgia’s defense. I like the Irish to keep rolling behind their strong ground attack.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS: NOTRE DAME -6.5
