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The No. 17 Army Black Knights (9-0) meet the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-1) on Saturday at Yankee Stadium in one of the most anticipated college football games this November. Kickoff for this neutral-site matchup from the Bronx, N.Y., is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Army vs. Notre Dame odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
This showdown of top-20 teams will prove crucial in determining College Football Playoff seeding and qualifications.
Notre Dame is rolling on an 8-game win streak following its 35-14 win over the Virginia Cavaliers last Saturday. Army comes off a bye week that followed a nail-biter 14-3 win over the North Texas Mean Green on Nov. 8.
Both teams have plowed their way to their successful seasons through the ground game, led by quarterbacks who can adepty use their legs.
Under the guidance of QB Bryson Daily, Army’s triple-option focus has propelled them to the top of the national rushing yardage rankings (334.9 per game). Daily himself ranks tied for second nationally with 21 rushing scores and 13th with 1,062 rushing yards.
While having more offensive power through the air, Notre Dame leans heavily on its trifecta of QB Riley Leonard (13 rushing TDs) and running back Jeremiyah Love (12 TDs) and Jadarian Price (7.3 yards per carry).
This matchup makes things fun: Army also boasts the third-best rushing defense in the country (82.6 yards allowed per game).
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Army at Notre Dame odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Friday at 1:13 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Army +500 (bet $100 to win $500) | Notre Dame -700 (bet $700 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Army +14.5 (-115) | Notre Dame -14.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Army at Notre Dame picks and predictions
Prediction
Notre Dame 24, Army 17
Moneyline
Notre Dame has had to endure defensive injuries to key players, including top NFL Draft prospect CB Benjamin Morrison. However, Al Golden’s defensive scheme slots among the country’s best, ranking third in points allowed (11.4) and sixth in total yardage allowed (277.1) per game.
Ten of coach Marcus Freeman‘s 28 victories with the Irish have come against ranked teams.
Daily will test the Irish, but the Irish will control the line of scrimmage on the defensive side more effectively with more pressure.
However, I’m going to avoid the lopsided — and overvalued — juice that comes with betting ND straight-up. The books are mispricing the disparity.
Irish bettors should find other ways to back a victory with a wager.
PASS.
Against the spread
The spread experienced a giant drop on Monday alone (+17.5 to +14) but has stayed relatively close since, merely adding the hook in Army’s favor.
Notre Dame has the better talent among receiving corps, but the Black Knights’ time of possession strategy and elite ground game will help keep this game close.
This approach has helped Army lead college football with a 7-1-1 ATS record. (Though ND is not far behind at 7-2-1).
Still, the likely pace should prompt diligent bettors to tease Army’s line down if they have the sprinkle bets to spare.
BET ARMY +14.5 (-115).
Over/Under
Even with their run-heavy styles, Notre Dame (0.577 points per play, sixth) and Army (0.558, eighth) rank among the most efficient offenses in the country. The stats tempt the public to bet the Over.
However, bettors should side with the likely gradual pace from both sides that will help both teams fall short of the total by a few points.
BET UNDER 45.5 (-110).
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