Notre Dame vs. North Carolina Total Pick
Will the No. 21 Notre Dame offense continue to put up big points when the Irish hit the road to face North Carolina on Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Notre Dame is favored on the road, as the Fighting Irish are getting odds of -14.5 points against the Tar Heels. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 58 points. The home team has won the last three in this series and these two have hit the over in the last two meetings. Saturday’s game takes place from Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It will air live on ABC.
NCAA FB QUICK LINKS: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats | Standings
Notre Dame is off to a 4-1 start following its 52-17 win over Miami-Ohio last weekend. The Fighting Irish have hit the over in all four wins. Notre Dame’s offense is putting up 41.4 points and 468.2 yards per game. Their ground attack is one of the best in the nation, averaging 301.4 yards per game on the ground. Josh Adams is leading the team with 658 yards and four touchdowns while Brandon Wimbush has run for 402 yards and eight scores while throwing for 783 yards and six touchdowns. Adams is nursing an ankle injury, but is expected to play. Along with a great offense, the ND defense is solid. The Irish are giving up 18.2 points and 385.8 yards per game.
North Carolina is just 1-4 this season following a 33-7 loss at Georgia Tech last week. The Tar Heels are 3-2 with the over in their five games. UNC is normally known for offense, but the Heels are putting up just 28.4 points and 395.2 yards per game this season. Chazz Surratt is leading the team with 988 yards and five touchdowns passing this season. Jordon Brown and Michael Carter have combined for 475 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Leading receiver Austin Proehl has been lost for the season with a broken collarbone. Defensively, UNC is giving up 33 points and 466.8 yards per game The Heels have struggled against the run, allowing 221.8 yards per game.
Bet on Notre Dame vs. North Carolina
Notre Dame has been hitting the over in its wins this year due to its explosive offense. I see the Irish winning this game and I see another over as well. Notre Dame should be able to march the ball right through this UNC defense. I also expect the Tar Heels to find some momentum of success against the ND defense. Not a ton, but enough to help carry the over. The Irish have hit the over in seven of their last nine on the road. Look for it to happen again.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: NOTRE DAME/NORTH CAROLINA OVER 58