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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take their unbeaten record to Winston Salem as they take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Week 4 of the NCAA Football season on Saturday, September 22 at the BB&T Field.
Surviving A Scare
Notre Dame survived a scare from the Vanderbilt Commodores last week at their home field, needing a late 4th down touchdown to secure a 22-17 win. The previous week, the Fighting Irish struggled before outlasting the Ball State Cardinals 24-16. Now they face a Wake Forest team that is 2-1 in the young season.
Brandon Wimbush has struggled to start the season as he has thrown for only 589 passing yards through three games with only one touchdown pass and four interceptions. With Wimbush struggling, the Irish are averaging just 365.3 yards per game but will probably have a better outing here as the Wake Forest defense currently allows 456.7 yards per game, including 310 yards through the air.
Notre Dame vs Wake Forest 9/22/18
Odds: Notre Dame -300, Wake Forest +250
Odds from Betonline.ag as of 9/20/18
Looking To Bounce Back
While the Irish are looking to remain unbeaten, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are looking to bounce back from last week’s 34-41 shootout loss to Boston College last Thursday. The Demon Deacons went toe to toe with Boston College but Eagles’ quarterback Anthony Brown scattered 304 yards with 5 touchdown passes against an inept Wake Forest defense.
Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman is currently ranked 18th in the nation in passing yards with 834 passing yards. Hartman has thrown for six touchdowns but he also has five interceptions. Junior running back Cade Carney has been terrific so far, running for 300 yards in three games with two touchdowns scored.
Who Wins?
Notre Dame is 12-2 SU in their last 14 games overall while Wake Forest is 5-2 SU in their last seven games overall and 6-3 SU in their last nine games at home. Their Head to head story though is one-sided lately as the Fighting Irish are 4-0 SU in their last four games against the Demon Deacons and they have won by an average margin of 19.25 points.
Wake Forest’s secondary has been terrible and I think that’s what Brandon Wimbush needs to move the football and lead his team to victory.
We’re picking the Notre Dame to beat Wake Forest on 9/22/18.
Other Bets To Make?
The Fighting Irish are just 1-2 ATS this season but the spread line for this game has been set at 7.5 and the recent history between these two teams point to Notre Dame covering the spread.
Notre Dame vs Wake Forest 9/22/18
Spread Odds: Notre Dame -7.5 (-104), Wake Forest +7.5 (-110)
Odds from Betonline.ag as of 9/20/18
Notre Dame has won the last four meetings between these teams and they have done so with an average winning margin of 19.25 points. The closest spread in those four meetings was seven points but that was way back in 2011. Since then , Notre Dame has won by double digits including last season’s 48-37 win.
Prediction: Notre Dame -7.5.
As for the total, the line is currently at 59.5 just half a point down from the 60 which it opened at. Although the last meeting between these two teams combined for 85 points, the total has gone under in three of their last four meetings and has finished at an average of 49.75 points in those four games.
Notre Dame vs Wake Forest 9/22/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 59.5 -125, Under 59.5 +105
Odds from Betonline.ag as of 9/20/18
Notre Dame has gone under in six out of their last seven games. The Fighting Irish are allowing just 16.7 points per game but are scoring just 23.3 points per game. On the other hand, Wake Forest’s strength is in its running attack and Notre Dame has the 26th best rush defense in the nation.
Prediction: Under 59.5.
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