This year’s College Football Playoff slate will not include Notre Dame as they were practically eliminated from the tournament by virtue of their disappointing 24-point defeat to the Arizona State Sun Devils last Saturday. They can still salvage their season, though, with an appearance in one of the lesser-known bowls but they will need to win their remaining games starting with Northwestern this coming Saturday.
Can the Fighting Irish put their season back on track?Or will the Wildcats deal another blow to Notre Dame’s season? Read on for a preview of this matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Mississippi State vs. Alabama and Auburn vs. Georgia.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Northwestern Wildcats vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Preview
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame
When: Saturday, November 15, 2014, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Northwestern Wildcats (+17.5) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-17.5) – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern’s losing woes continued last Saturday as a botched play in the endgame cost them dearly in a heartbreaking 10-9 defeat to the Michigan Wolverines. Quarterback Trevor Siemian went from hero to zero in just a matter of seconds as he bungled the potential game-winning play with no more time remaining to send the Wildcats to their fourth straight loss.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Trailing 10-3, Siemian rifled in a three-yard touchdown pass to Tony Jones to cut the lead to one with three seconds to go in the game clock. Instead of going for overtime, the Wildcats went for broke and opted for the two-point conversion. They ended up with eggs on their faces, though, as Siemian slipped to give Michigan the victory.
It has been that kind of year for Siemian who has more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (5) this season. He will need to get their offense going this coming Saturday if they are to score an upset over Notre Dame. The Wildcats have been atrocious on the offensive end recently, averaging just 12.5 points in their last four games.
In fact, the Wildcats have struggled offensively the whole season, ranking 82nd in passing offense (212.8 YPG), 111th in rushing offense (109.9 YPG) and 119th in scoring (18.0 PPG) in the entire FBS. In the game against Michigan, they were particularly horrible on the ground, rushing for -9 yards. It won’t get any easier for them this coming weekend as the Fighting Irish are 38th in the FBS in rushing defense allowing just 138.1 yards per game on the ground this season.
That doesn’t mean though that Notre Dame’s defense is invincible. In fact, it has looked shaky recently especially in their defeat to Arizona State last Saturday. The Fighting Irish allowed 55 points in their defeat to the Sun Devils, the most they have surrendered in a game since losing 58-7 to Miami back in November 1985.
The Wildcats are 1-2 ATS on the road this season.
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Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff dreams are virtually over after they were humiliated by Arizona State 55-31 last Saturday. The Sun Devils scored three late touchdowns to halt the Fighting Irish’s furious second half charge which saw Notre Dame climb to within three points after trailing by as much as 31.
In the end, though, the margin was just too big to overcome for the Fighting Irish who slumped to their second defeat in three games. As a result, they have also dropped down to No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Everett Golson picked the worst time to have an off-night as he delivered the worst performance of his career on Saturday. He had three turnovers in a crucial four-minute span in the first half that gave Arizona State the quick advantage in the ballgame. Golson committed a total of five turnovers, all coming against the blitz as he had trouble the whole game against Arizona State’s pass-rush.
He must expect the same defensive coverage against Northwestern this coming Saturday as the Sun Devils have provided the Wildcats with the perfect blueprint in order to stop him. Golson completed just 13-of-29 passes when facing five or more pass-rushers. In addition to his five turnovers, he was also sacked six times when the Sun Devils tried to blitz him.
Golson wouldn’t get a free pass against the Wildcats who have been exceptional on the defensive end this season. The Wildcats own the 30th-ranked scoring defense in the nation allowing just 22.3 points per game. They are also 49th in the total defense department allowing an average of just 373.7 yards per outing.
The Fighting Irish are 5-0 SU at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Notre Dame (-17.5) wins 48-14.
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