The Notre Dame Fighting Irish can’t afford a misstep this late into the season, especially not when they’re ranked fourth in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Fighting Irish take on one of the nation’s top defenses, the Boston College Eagles at home for a primetime matchup in Week 12. Will the Eagles throw a wrench in Notre Dame’s playoff plans?
Check out some of college football’s biggest games this weekend with our complete previews for Michigan vs. Penn State and Baylor vs. Oklahoma State.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Boston College Eagles vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
When: Saturday, November 21, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Boston College Eagles (+15.5) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-15.5); total 42.5 – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: NBCSB
Betting on the Boston College Eagles (3-7)
Despite owning the nation’s best total defense, allowing just 237 yards per game, Boston College lost six straight heading into this matchup against Notre Dame. The Eagles also happen to have the nation’s best rushing defense, which will be such pretty big deal considering their opponents, Notre Dame, welcome back their top running back in C.J. Prosise.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]The Eagles have a very solid front seven, excelling in sacks (31, eighth in the nation) and tackles for loss (98, first in the nation). Linebackers Matt Milano and Steven Daniels have been solid on the pass rush with 6.5 and six sacks respectively to hound opposing quarterbacks. The two should have their moments against Notre Dame’s offensive line, which allows over two sacks per game this season.
Milano and Daniels also happen to lead the team in tackles for loss. Daniels has a team-high 15, while Milano has 13.5. Defensive linemaen Harold Landry and Mehdi Abdesmad give some support with 13.5 and 13 tackles for loss. A talented front seven should help the Eagles win the battle on the trenches in defense. Having a tight defensive line should limit production from Notre Dame’s Prosise, who’s returning from injury.
Boston College hasn’t enjoyed the same sort of success on offense. The Eagles ranks dead last in the nation in total offense with just 276.6 yards per game. They haven’t settles with a quarterback as no signal caller has more than 400 yards this season; the Eagles have four different quarterbacks with 220-plus yards passing. Boston College also doesn’t have a set running back with four players with 230-plus yards rushing.
Notre Dame doesn’t have the best f rushing defenses, allowing 4.5 yards per carry and 163.4 yards rushing per game. If the Eagles are to keep this close, then it’ll come through the run. They have just the men to do it with Tyler Rouse and Jeff Smith, who lead the team with five rushing scores each.
The Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last three games against Notre Dame.
Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-1)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have one of the best offenses in the nation, chipping in 36.2 points per game. They weren’t too spectacular last week in a 28-7 win over Wake Forest. The Irish had just two passes of 15 yards or more against Wake Forest and failed to top 400 yards of offense for the first time this season.
The Irish figure to get much better with running back C.J. Prosise back after missing the last game due to an injury. Prosise has been excellent this season with a team-high 975 yards rushing, including five 100-yard games. He has 18 runs of 15 yards or more this season to spur the Irish’s rushing offense. But Prosise could slow down against Boston College’s stout front seven.
Notre Dame will need a very balanced offense to help them get past Boston College. Quarterback DeShone Kizer has a pretty tough matchup ahead against Boston College’s fifth-ranked passing defense, allowing just 164.8 yards per game with six touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Kizer wasn’t too impressive last week against Wake Forest, passing for just 111 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He did score two touchdowns on the ground, but gained just 30 yards rushing on 13 carries.
The Irish have all the tools to make it five straight wins against Boston College; they’ve won the past four meetings, most recently winning 21-6 in 2012. But they may not have enough for a stylish blowout against the nation’s top defense.
Writer’s Prediction
The Eagles cover +15.5 in a spirited effort against Notre Dame. Create a betting account now and catch some of the best college football games to come this weekend.
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