NCAAF Odds: The Northwestern Wildcats have been wiped out with injuries that have exposed their lack of depth. The Wildcats hopes for a bowl game are as good as dead and with no more margin for error. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame made too many mistakes last week in a 55-31 loss at Arizona State which ended their Final Four playoff hopes.
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will host the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium with coverage on NBC starting at 3:30 PM ET. Notre Dame opened as a 16 point favorite
Dome not so Golden Lately
Notre Dame is 7-2 straight up, 5-4 against the spread, and 4-5 under the total. The Irish have failed to get the money in three out of their last four games and have lost two out of their last three games SU. Quarterback Everett Golson threw four interceptions in last week’s loss even as he rallied the Irish from a 34-3 deficit to close within 34-31 midway through the fourth quarter. Two of Golson’s interceptions were costly pick sixes. Notre Dame ranks a mediocre 44th in the nation for total defense and 57th for scoring defense. The Irish rank a weak 76th for rushing offense.
Cats in Free Fall
Northwestern is 3-6 SU, 3-6 ATS, and 2-7 under the total. The Cats are coming off an ugly 10-9 home loss to Michigan as two point dogs. NU failed on a two point conversion at the end of the game for yet another painful loss. Northwestern ranks a pathetic 117th in the nation for total offense and 122nd for scoring offense. The Cats rank 50th for total defense. Despite the injury issues head coach Pat Fitzgerald is beginning to feel some heat at his alma mater where things have never been the same since that epic Saturday night home loss to Ohio State last year.
Our Pick
Despite being the ultimate public team the Fighting Irish have improved as a betting value at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame has paid out in six out of their last 10 home games with five out of their last seven home games going under the total.
Northwestern has seen their betting value erode on the road as of late. The Cats have paid out in just two out of their last seven away games with five out of their last seven away games going under the total.
Notre Dame has too much here for injury ravaged Northwestern. The Fighting Irish and under the total is the call.
