An intense rivalry will be renewed this Saturday when the No. 14 Michigan Wolverines and the No. 12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish square off in a certain heated matchup in South Bend. A win against a ranked opponent on the road would be huge for Michigan’s morale after a letdown season, but the Fighting Irish are not ranked higher than Jim Harbaugh’s boys for nothing. That said, Michigan have shorter odds of +1,200 to win the national title than Notre Dame, which is priced at +2,400 in the NCAA football futures.
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Betting Preview for the Michigan Wolverines vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Week 1 College Football Game on Sept. 1 2018
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend
When: Saturday, September 1, 2018, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Michigan Wolverines (+1) vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-1) – view all 2018 NCAAF lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines were a major disappointment last season, as they finished with only an 8-5 record and failed to take home a consolation bowl title by losing to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Outback Bowl.
However, the Wolverines are brimming with experience coming into the new season, as they have 16 starters back on the roster, including seven on the offensive front. Among them is running back Karan Higdon who was seventh last year in the Big Ten in rushing yards with 76.7 rushing yards per game to go with 11 touchdowns, which were fourth most in the conference.
Michigan also hired a new offensive coordinator in the form of the tried and tested Jim McElwain, whose presence on the team should result in a marked improvement by the offense that finished just 100th in total offense and 86th in scoring offense in 2017. There’s fewer questions about the team’s defense, though, as the unit returns nine starters from the group that allowed just 18.8 points per game last year.
The Wolverines are 6-4 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 meetings with Notre Dame
Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish’s backfield took a hit over the offseason with the departures of running back Josh Adams, who rushed for 1,430 yards last season, and the tandem of offensive linemen Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey, but at least Notre Dame’s offense still have the services of quarterback Brandon Wimbush.
Last season, Wimbush had 1,870 passing yards and 16 touchdowns against six interceptions. He also finished behind Adams on the team with 803 rushing yards while pacing the Fighting Irish with 14 rushing scores.
Even with Adams, Nelson, and McGlinchey gone, the Fighting Irish still have 15 starters from last season returning, including nine on defense, which was no slouch either. Notre Dame held opponents to just 21.5 points per contest on the strength of eight of 13 opposing teams the Fighting Irish limited to 18 points or fewer.
The Fighting Irish are 5-0 SU in their last five games as the home team and went 3-2 ATS in those contests.
Writer’s Prediction
Notre Dame wins, 24-23.
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