Week 1: Longhorns vs Fighting Irish Odds

College football betting sees the Texas Longhorns taking on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Saturday, September 5th at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.

Texas (0-0) vs. Notre Dame (0-0)
Week 1
Date: Saturday, September 5th
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana
NCAA Football Spread: Notre Dame -10
NCAA Betting Total: 50.5

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Maybe in years past a meeting between the Longhorns and the Fighting Irish would have made headlines. And while this year’s matchup may not attract as much attention, Saturday’s clash will be just as important to both teams, as they try to start the 2015 college football season with important win.

Texas

Texas struggled offensively in 2014, finishing a disappointing 6-7 under first-year coach Charlie Strong.

This year, they get back starting quarterback Tyrone Swoopes who held onto his job, beating out touted freshman Jerrod Heard and senior RB Johnathan Gray.

Swoopes really came on late in the season a year ago and his leadership ability will be key to the Longhorns offensive success this season.

And while the Longhorns offense works out it issues, the defense, which held opposing quarterbacks to an average of 184.2 yards passing a season ago, will try to maintain its stoutness after losing six of its starters.

It will return however, fifth-year defensive tackle Desmond Jackson, who missed most of 2014 due to a foot injury.

Notre Dame

The Irish began their 2014 campaign by winning their first six games, but the wheels fell off the bus as they settled for a 8-5 finish and a win over LSU in the Music City Bowl.

Turnovers were a big problem for Notre Dame last season, many of them committed by QB Everett Golson, who is gone after a transfer to Florida State.

Malik Zaire, who helped his team to a bowl win against the Tigers, will take over under center.

Considered a running quarterback, Zaire threw for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Music City Bowl and should be much more developed in all phases of the game heading into this season.

NCAA Football Handicapping Trends

• Under is 16-5 in TEX last 21 games overall.
• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas’s last 8 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas’s last 6 games
• Notre Dame is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
• Notre Dame is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games at home

Week 1 NCAA Football Prediction

I don’t expect a lot of excitement offensively in this one, as both teams try to find their footing to open the season. The Irish are 9-2 all-time in home night games and South Bend is always a tough place to play for any team.

4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Texas +10

Still I think the Irish only pull this one off by a field goal.

Week 1 Score Prediction: Notre Dame 20, Texas 17

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CappersPicks.com has College football odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NCAA football lines up for early games as well.