2014
Notre Dame
College Football
Betting Preview
Odds and Schedule
Like every other year, the Schedule for Notre Dame is going to be difficult. With only nine returning starters, that road looks even tougher removed from a nine-win season. The biggest positive the Fighting Irish have going for them is the return of quarterback Everett Golson, who was forced to miss all of last year because of academic reasons.
He led Notre Dame to the national championship Game back in 2012, and while his stats weren’t the greatest (58.8% completion, 12 passing TDs, six INTs), he should be a better option than Tommy Rees last season. Golson also had six rushing touchdowns that year and can be a threat on the ground, something Rees lacked a season ago. On the receiving end, TJ Jones is gone, but DaVaris Daniels should step in nicely with tight end Ben Koyack.
The running Game should also be a strength, even more so than last year. While two studs are gone from the line, they have quality filling those spaces and it shouldn’t be a problem. Cam McDaniel (705 yards) led the team in rushing last year and he’ll likely split more time with Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant this season. While Notre Dame’s offense has never been a strong suit under Brian Kelly, they tend to get the job done and Golson will be a nice addition.
Notre Dame loses five starters in their front seven which will be their immediate problem as they transition with new coordinator Brian VanGorder. The defense wasn’t as good last year, as seen in their Four losses, but they also held some teams down like Michigan State and USC. The health status of inside linebacker Jarrett Grace will be vital, otherwise they’ll have to bring in some inexperienced blood. OUtside linebacker Jaylon Smith and cornerback KeiVarae Russell will be their two best players. Russell leads probably the best unit in this squad in the secondary.
With the offense improving under Golson and the defense likely not regressing under their new coordinator, the Fighting Irish should be a better all-around squad. But will it matter with their Schedule?
Playing Michigan, Stanford, North Carolina and Louisville at home will all be nice, but they also have to travel to Florida State, Arizona State and USC, so it all evens out. Getting to double-digit wins will once again be a chore as those road Games are going to be difficult. Some of those Games will be decided on what Golson can do and how strong the defensive line can be.
Playing the Wolverines in their second Game will be telling for the rest of the season, but if they win that one, they could be 4-0 heading into the Stanford Game. Like last year, don’t expect a ton of blowouts, so temper betting early in the year, especially if lines are iNFLated due to Golson. Remember, he did miss an entire year of football.
Notre Dame is listed at odds of 75 to 1 to win the National Title at 5 dimes sportsbook. They also have odds/lines posted for most of Notre Dames regular season Games. For example, they are -5 point favorites over Michigan 9/6. Bet early!!
2014 Notre Dame Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Rice
Sep. 6 vs. Michigan
Sep. 13 vs. Purdue (in Indianapolis)
Sep. 27 at Syracuse
Oct. 4 vs. Stanford
Oct. 11 vs. North Carolina
Oct. 18 at Florida State
Nov. 1 vs. Navy (in LAndover)
Nov. 8 at Arizona State
Nov. 15 vs. Northwestern
Nov. 22 vs. Louisville
Nov. 29 at USC