Cougars vs Fighting Irish NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
This is not your father’s BYU Cougars team. Normally flush with one of the best passing attacks in the nation this year BYU is a stalwart defensive squad with a pair of the game’s best linebackers.
BYU Cougars (4-3) vs #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0)
Saturday October 20
Notre Dame Stadium – South Bend, IN
3:30PM
Moneyline: Notre Dame -500, BYU +400 at GTBets.eu
Spread: Notre Dame -13.5
O/U: 41.5
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BYU
Even after getting stomped by Oregon State, and giving up 42 points in the process they are still 7th in the nation in scoring D.
They haven’t fared well on the road this year dropping two close contests to Utah and Boise State by a combined 4 points.
Energetic QB Taysom Hill was lost for the season but the Cougars got regular starter Riley Nelson back last week. Nelson showed rust last week against Oregon State throwing three picks including a fourth quarter pick 6 that essentially sealed the game.
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That wasn’t the only cause of the defeat though as the defense essentially disappeared.
Beaver backup QB Cody Vaz was looking like a Heisman hopeful after last week’s fill in performance.
This is a hard one to gauge for BYU.
I think this is a good team and if they limit the turnovers one that can certainly hang with Notre Dame even on the road. Is it actually possible this becomes a pure defensive battle? Hard to believe given the brands involved but it might be.
Another reason why BYU is a very solid play.
Notre Dame
I am still having a hard time believing that Notre Dame deserves that lofty #5 ranking.
Yes they are undefeated but all of their wins against ranked opponents don’t feel that impressive given two of them have since dropped out of the rankings. Also this is a team that barely beat state rival Purdue on their home turf last month. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
After this week they visit Oklahoma. If they can beat the Sooners than we can talk.
The results may be there in terms of wins but I don’t like the way coach Kelly is handling his QBs and sooner or later it is going to bite him.
Last week the Irish were effective running the ball with only the carries by QB Everett Golson dragging down the average. This week I think they are going to have to throw it to win so why not make the smart play and start Tommy Rees. Putting him only pressure cooker situations will backfire and this is the best defense they have seen yet.
I am skeptical about Notre Dame in general and really don’t like this number.
Being at home will be an advantage but this is an afternoon contest without much juice of a rivalry, plus they have a huge game next week so they might be due for a letdown.
Not an outright upset mind you.
Notre Dame is just 2-2 ATS this year.
Spread Pick: BYU +14.5
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Notre Dame 21 – BYU 17
