Michigan vs. Notre Dame Prediction
Who will come away with a big victory to open the season when No. 12 Notre Dame plays to No. 14 Michigan tonight at 7:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
211 Michigan at 212 Notre Dame
Saturday, September 1, 2018
7:30PM ET – Notre Dame Stadium
TV: NBC
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, this game is now considered even, with neither team being given an points to the other. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 46 points. The public betting for this game currently has 61 percent going on Michigan on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Notre Dame being overlooked?
The Notre Dame football team went 2-2 down the stretch of last season, but still finished the year with 10 wins and a bowl victory over LSU. The Fighting Irish were 10-3 overall last year with an 8-5 record against the spread The Irish were 7-6 with the under. Brian Kelly enters his ninth season as head coach of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame has dealt with some injury struggles over recent years, but still had a strong defense that allowed just 21.5 points per game. The ND offense scored 34.2 points per game last season. The Irish lose their offensive weapon last year in running back Josh Adams, but does return mobile quarterback Brandon Wimbush. He threw for 1,870 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2017 while rushing for 803 yards and 14 scores.
Michigan needs a big road win
The Michigan football team saw its 2017 season end with three straight losses to Wisconsin, Ohio State and South Carolina. That has put a little heat on coach Jim Harbaugh, who has struggled with picking up big wins on the road, especially wins against rivals. He is entering his fourth season as head coach. Michigan went 8-5 last season with a 5-7-1 record against the spread and a 7-5-1 record with the over.
Michigan had one of the better defenses in the nation last year, allowing just 18.8 points per game. Offensively, Michigan struggled for any consistency and posted only 25.2 points per game. Quarterback play was always a struggle in 2017 and Michigan hopes that changes this year with Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson taking over the offense. He threw for 1,259 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Rebels last year while playing just half of the season. Michigan does bring back its leading two rushers in Karan Higdon and Chris Evans. The two combined for over 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2017. The Wolverines also have some promising receivers, but lost Tarik Black to a broken foot last week.
College Football Betting Trends
Notre Dame
The home team has covered the spread in the last four meetings with these two and they are 4-1 ATS in their last five games in September.
Michigan
Michigan is just 2-6 against the spread in its last eight trips to Notre Dame and 1-5 ATS in their last six non-conference games.
Prediction:
History hasn’t been on Michigan’s side for this game, but the reality is the Wolverines NEED this game more than the Fighting Irish. Jim Harbaugh doesn’t have a signature victory in his time with the Wolverines and he was expected to take this program to great heights. The returns have been very disappointing so far. Patterson is supposed to be the guy to help right that ship, but is unproven. I can very well see Notre Dame winning this game, but I have to believe that Michigan is going to get on track under Harbaugh at some point. The Wolverines have the defense. They just need the offense to break through. If it won’t happen tonight and this season, then Harbaugh may not be the savior we all thought.
College Football Prediction: Michigan EVEN