Notre Dame Opponent ACC Championship Bound After Thriller

This battle between two 2019 Notre Dame opponents was an exciting one and by no-way an easy victory for the Cavaliers who jumped out to an early two-possession lead before the lead bounced back and forth.

The story of the year in the ACC has been the gap between Clemson, who hasn’t lost a conference game since mid-October of 2017 and the rest of the conference who at times this year hasn’t had a second ranked team in the Amway Coaches Poll Powered by USA Today, AP Poll or the College Football Playoff committee rankings.

When No. 3 Clemson travels to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game next week they’ll be playing 9-3 Virginia after the Cavaliers finally got by rival Virginia Tech and won the Commonwealth Cup for the first time since 2003.

That’s because Notre Dame’s September 28 opponent, who the Irish got by after a dominating defensive second half, won a thriller in Charlottesville, Virginia.

This battle between two 2019 Notre Dame opponents was an exciting one and by no-way an easy victory for the Cavaliers who jumped out to an early two-possession lead before the lead bounced back and forth.

A late Virginia field goal gave them a 33-30 lead with under two minutes left before a defensive score with under a minute left put them up 39-30.

Virginia’s win and Coastal Division title means all seven ACC Coastal teams have won the division in the last seven years.

This was the fourth straight season that Notre Dame played the eventual ACC Coastal Division champion, winning the last two of those match-ups (Pittsburgh 2018, Virginia Tech 2019). It’s the sixth time in six years since starting their ACC deal that Notre Dame has played a team that wound up in the ACC Championship Game:

2014 Florida State

2015 Clemson

2016 Virginia Tech

2017 Miami

2018 Pittsburgh

2019 Virginia

Since starting their deal with the ACC to play four games annually in 2014 and it being bumped up to five a year later, Notre Dame has gone 23-7 vs. ACC foes in regular season play, including winning 14 of their last 15 regular season games against ACC opponents.

It should be noted that the only time Notre Dame played Clemson in that time was in the Cotton Bowl, a 30-3 blowout win for the Tigers last December.

Notre Dame will play ACC foes Wake Forest, Pitt, Clemson, Duke and Georgia Tech in 2020.

ACC Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 14

Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 14 of the ACC season.

[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]


Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 14 of the ACC season.


How are the ACC predictions so far?
Straight Up: 76-26, ATS 43-44-2, o/u: 52-38


Click on each game for game preview & prediction

Friday, November 29

Virginia Tech at Virginia

12:00 ABC | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Virginia Tech -2.5, o/u: 47.5
Bet on this with BetMGM, or for latest line 

Saturday, November 30

Clemson at South Carolina

12:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Clemson -27.5, o/u: 51
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Georgia at Georgia Tech

12:00 ABC | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Georgia -28, o/u: 46.5
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Louisville at Kentucky

12:00 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Kentucky -3, o/u: 53.5
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Wake Forest at Syracuse

12:30 ACC Network X | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Wake Forest -3.5, o/u: 67.5
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Boston College at Pitt

3:30 ACC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Pitt -9, o/u: 52
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[lawrence-related id=502045]

Miami at Duke

3:30 ESPN2 | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Miami -8, o/u: 45.5
Bet on this with BetMGM, or for latest line 

North Carolina at NC State

7:00 ACC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: North Carolina -10, o/u: 55
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Florida State at Florida

7:30 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Florida -17.5, o/u: 53.5
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Florida State-Florida odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Florida State at Florida college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Florida State Seminoles (6-5) will take on the Florida Gators (9-2) this weekend in an ACC-SEC clash at The Swamp in Gainesville. Kickoff from Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night.

We analyze the Florida State-Florida odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Florida State at Florida: Three things you need to know

1. Florida State’s leading rusher, Cam Akers, is expected to return on Saturday after missing last week’s game against Alabama State with an unspecified injury. He has 1,042 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

2. Florida has won back-to-back games in dominant fashion after losing two of its previous three games. The Gators beat Missouri 23-6 two weeks ago after blowing out Vanderbilt 56-0 the week before.

3. Florida has won six games at home this season while Florida State’s win at Boston College ended a six-game road losing streak dating back to last season.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!


Florida State at Florida: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Florida 30, Florida State 17

Moneyline (ML)

Florida is the heavy favorite in this matchup with the game on home turf. As a result, the -1000 moneyline on the Gators is steep and not worth betting — even though Florida should come away victorious.

The Gators are just 3-7 against the Seminoles in their last 10 meetings and 1-5 in the last six.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Florida to win would return a profit of $1.

Against the Spread (ATS)

The Gators enter as 17.5-point favorites, which isn’t surprising given how much better they’ve been this season. Florida State has limped through a disappointing campaign, but the Seminoles have scored 87 points in their last two games, so if they can score enough, it’ll be tough for Florida to cover the spread.

Not to mention, Florida State is 6-3 ATS in its last nine games against the Gators. Bet the SEMINOLES (+17.5, -106) to cover the spread.

Over/Under (O/U)

The O/U is 53.5 in this matchup and both teams come in hot offensively. The Gators defense has been dominant this season, and in the last 19 games between these two teams, the total has gone under 14 times.

Bet the UNDER 53.5 (-106) on Saturday because it’ll be tough for Florida State to get much going offensively.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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No. 16 Notre Dame/Boston College: Keys & Predictions

Notre Dame lost four times alone on their home field in 2016. Since then they’ve lost only six times total and only once one their home field, that coming against eventual national runner-up Georgia in 2017.

No. 16 Notre Dame welcomes Boston College this weekend as Senior Day is upon us. It’s not a perfect formula seeing as plenty from the 2016 recruiting class have a year of eligibility remaining and will be back next season but take this into consideration as many will play their final game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday:

Notre Dame lost four times alone on their home field in 2016. Since then they’ve lost only six times total and only once one their home field, that coming against eventual national runner-up Georgia in 2017.

I know that ultimate goal of another appearance in the College Football Playoff isn’t attainable but an unbeaten November for a program that has had their issues late in seasons to play hard and play well through the end is worthy of some praise, although not everything.

So how do the Irish avoid coming out flat in their final home game of 2019 and walk out victorious while preferably not hopefully not having things get overly interesting late?

Keys:

Offense:

Jeff:

Things probably aren’t going to come as easy as they did last week but I thought the diversity of the play calling last week from Chip Long was on point. Continue to use the skill sets of these young receivers like Keys and Lenzy and build their confidence. If all else fails, throw it to Claypool 🙂

Nick:

Boston College gets thrown all over all the time. Ian Book has looked very good since the last two drives against Virginia Tech, keep that rolling today and hang a big number.

Defense:

Jeff:

Stop AJ Dillon. Make BC work through the air. It’s really that simple to me. Dillon is one of the toughest players in the country to bring down and there’s no doubt the Irish have struggled against running games that can at least throw the ball a little. I’m looking at you Navy. 

Nick:

Contain the running game. AJ Dillion is great and he’s a threat in their pass game as well but David Bailey is solid too, assuming he ends up playing Saturday. Michigan made you look a fool while you went and just did the same to Navy – now take care of business against BC’s rushing attacking.

Predictions:

Jeff: Notre Dame 38, Boston College 17

Nick: Notre Dame 34, Boston College 20

College Football Betting Advice, Final Thoughts: Week 13

The final thoughts, a few predictions, and some investment advice to make your life a heck of a lot better than it currently is. 

[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]


The final thoughts, a few predictions, and some investment advice to make your life a heck of a lot better than it currently is. 

Week 13 Fearless Predictions, Game Previews 
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
Week 13 Expert Picks & Predictions
10 Best Predictions Against The Spread


Contact/Follow @PeteFiutak

This is all for spits, giggles, and entertainment purposes only, however, just in case you dabble …

Week 13 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

ACC Betting Advice, Final Thoughts

Let’s not get too cranked up about Liberty, and let’s not get too into the idea that Virginia is looking ahead to the game that actually does matter against Virginia Tech. Remember, this is the same Liberty team that was shutout 24-0 by Syracuse and and lost by ten a Rutgers team that’s really, realty bad at college football. The Cavs -17 is nice and low.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

Yeah, Notre Dame has the ability to turn the lights out on a one-dimensional team – like it did last week against Navy – but Boston College doesn’t seem to have problems only doing one thing really, really well. Liked it at BC getting 18, love it at 21.5.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
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Don’t be that guy who bets on FCS vs. FBS games … unless the line on the Mercer-North Carolina game goes up to 40 or more. It’s at UNC -39 right now, and that’s about right. The Tar Heels will win easily, but the Bears are just good enough to score a touchdown or two and keep this from blowing up.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
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Home team, slightly better defense, a bit more offensive diversity, playing better overall … don’t think too hard about this Virginia Tech is only giving away 3.5 at home against Pitt – it moved up from 1 and will end up around 4.5. Be careful with the point total that’s right at around 46, but is moving.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

[lawrence-related id=501370]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Syracuse showed up against Duke last week, came up with a slew of takeaways, and won with stunning ease. That’s not happening again on the road at Louisville. However, the Cardinals aren’t going to make this easy. You’re fine at UofL at 9.5, but wait until the last second – it’ll go up to at least 10 by gametime.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
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Miami going down the road to play at FIU seems like it should be a moment for the Group of Fiver. All of these guys know each other, FIU will get up for the game at a whole other level, and … whatever. The Canes are going to care about this, too. FIU hasn’t beaten anyone and was rolled by 30 against FAU and by 33 by a Middle Tennessee team that just lost to Rice. The Canes are a bit of a gift at 20.5.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
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I have NO idea why I like Duke getting 7 against Wake Forest, and it’s scaring me that others are jumping on this, too. It was at 6.5 to start, moved up to 7.5, and is now coming back down. The only reason to like this? Duke is better than it’s been playing, and – 44-10 win over NC State aside – Wake Forest really might not be the same without WR Sage Surratt.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
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Week 13 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

NEXT: Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC

ACC Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 13

Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 13 of the ACC season.

[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]


Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 13 of the ACC season.


How are the ACC predictions so far?
Straight Up: 69-25, ATS 41-39-2, o/u: 46-36


Click on each game for game preview & prediction 

Thursday, November 21

NC State at Georgia Tech

8:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: NC State -2.5, o/u: 47
Bet on this with BetMGM 

[lawrence-related id=501162]

Saturday, November 23

Liberty at Virginia

12:00 ACC Network X | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Virginia -17, o/u: 54
Bet on this with BetMGM 

Boston College at Notre Dame

2:30 NBC | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Notre Dame -19.5, o/u: 63.5
Bet on this with BetMGM 

Mercer at North Carolina

3:30 ACC Network X | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: COMING
Bet on this with BetMGM 

[lawrence-related id=500899]

Pitt at Virginia Tech

3:30 ESPN2 | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Virginia Tech -3.5, o/u: 46.5
Bet on this with BetMGM 

Syracuse at Louisville

4:00 ACC Network | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Louisville -10, o/u: 62
Bet on this with BetMGM 

Miami at FIU

7:00 CBS Sports Network | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Miami -20.5, o/u: 49.5
Bet on this with BetMGM 

Duke at Wake Forest

7:30 ACC Network | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Wake Forest -7.5, o/u: 49.5
Bet on this with BetMGM 

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Florida State Reportedly Interested in Brian Kelly

Fast-forward 17 days and we have found claims that Florida State is indeed interested in Notre Dame’s Kelly as their next head coach.

When Florida State fired head coach Willie Taggart back on November 3 we were quick to tell you to be on the lookout for rumors about whoever your favorite head coach is to be taking the job in Tallahassee, Brian Kelly included.

Fast-forward 17 days and we have found claims that Florida State is indeed interested in Notre Dame’s Kelly as their next head coach.

Bud Elliott and Ingram Smith of NoleCast cite independent sources that Florida State has interest in Brian Kelly and give reasons behind why it would at least a hair of sense.

“Two people have told us FSU has interest in Brian Kelly”

“There’s a little bit of question about the fit, but the proven track record of hiring assistant coaches and having them get promoted to other jobs and hiring new ones who are as good or better is really impressive.”

“He’s a really good recruiter with his staff. I think he knows what goes on in the south east, because we know he’s recruited some of these guys, and not always gotten them, but we know that’s due to some of the academic stuff” 

-NoleCast Podcast on November 19, 2019

Elliott and Smith also discuss how Notre Dame’s academic standards and the difficulty winning big with them creates would make the Florida State job appealing to Kelly.

I get where they’re coming from and if you’re Florida State you should be looking anywhere and everywhere for a proven coach who is going to turn their recent sorry state of affairs around.  As much as I’m not a Florida State fan, they’re a team that the game of college football, or at least the ACC, is just better when they’re good.

My only question though: Why would Kelly have any interest in going to a Florida State program where a massive rebuild is needed just to get in the same ballpark as Clemson, let alone pass them?

How likely is it to happen?

On a scale of “Beating Bowling Green to Lennay Kekua”  I’d be somewhere near George O’Leary but short of Kekua.

Independent Predictions, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 12

Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the Independent season.

[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]


Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the Independent season.


How are the Independent predictions so far?
Straight Up: 38-11, ATS 25-20, o/u: 25-20


Click on each game for game preview & prediction  

UMass at Northwestern

12:00 BTN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Northwestern -40.5, o/u: 56.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

VMI at Army

12:00 CBS Sports Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Army -34.5, o/u: 62.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Navy at Notre Dame

2:30 NBC | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Notre Dame -8.5, o/u: 53.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Idaho State at BYU

3:00 ESPN3 | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: BYU -32.5, o/u: 58.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Incarnate Word at New Mexico State

4:00 FOX Arizona | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: New Mexico State -7.5, o/u: 60.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

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MAC Predictions, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 12

Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the MAC season.

[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]


Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the MAC season.


How are the ACC predictions so far?
Straight Up: 57-21, ATS 31-37, o/u: 32-32


Click on each game for game preview & prediction

Tuesday, November 12

Western Michigan at Ohio

Prediction: Ohio 34, Western Michigan 27
BetMGM Line: Ohio -1, o/u: 63
Final Score: Western Michigan 37, Ohio 34 OT

Eastern Michigan at Akron

Prediction: Eastern Michigan 34, Akron 10
BetMGM Line: Eastern Michigan -17, o/u: 45
Final Score: Eastern Michigan 42, Akron 14

Wednesday, November 13

Bowling Green at Miami University

Prediction: Miami 30, Bowling Green 13
BetMGM Line: Miami University -17, o/u: 47.5
Final Score: Miami University 44, Bowling Green 6

Northern Illinois at Toledo

Prediction: Toledo 31, Northern Illinois 24
BetMGM Line: Toledo -2, o/u: 55.5
Final Score: Northern Illinois 31, Toledo 28

Thursday, November 14

Buffalo at Kent State

Prediction: Buffalo 28, Kent State 20
BetMGM Line: Buffalo -6, o/u: 55.5
Final Score: Kent State 30, Buffalo 27

Saturday, November 16

Central Michigan at Ball State

3:30 CBS Sports Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Ball State -2, o/u: 60.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

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College Football Betting Advice, Final Thoughts: Week 12

The final thoughts, a few predictions, and some investment advice to make your life a heck of a lot better than it currently is. 

[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]


The final thoughts, a few predictions, and some investment advice to make your life a heck of a lot better than it currently is. 

Week 12 Fearless Predictions, Game Previews 
AAC | ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
Week 12 Expert Picks & Predictions
10 Best Predictions Against The Spread


Contact/Follow @PeteFiutak

This is all for spits, giggles, and entertainment purposes only, however, just in case you dabble …

Week 12 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

Before we get started, as a public service announcement, I have been ridiculously stupid off on my weeknight picks this week. A few weren’t my fault – really, Buffalo, REALLY?! A few just went the wrong way – ALL the North Carolina kicker had to do was miss in regulation – and there was a whiff or two – thanks, Toledo.

So keep that in mind on these first two picks …

Can Louisiana Tech’s offense get hot? I’m sort of under the belief that 1) yes, the Bulldogs haven’t played anyone, but 2) they’re that good offensively and now they get to prove it. Marshall is at home, but the line has moved up to Herd -6.5. That’s a lot to give the Tech offense. The 54.5 seems low, too.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
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Fresno State – San Diego State is almost certainly going to be 24-17. The hard part is guessing which way it goes, since all San Diego State games seem like they’re around the 24-17 range. The Aztec O is SO bad, but it’s down to a PICK in some places? With that SDSU D at home? Thanks.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

ACC Betting Advice, Final Thoughts

If you’re really that weird and want in on the Alabama State – Florida State game, BetMGM does have it at Noles -41.5. This is for bowl eligibility or FSU, so it’s going to try and it should be up big in the first half, and then empty the bench in a hurry. As FCS paycheck games go, be warned, the Hornets aren’t that bad.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

Of course Clemson is going to roll past Wake Forest. Of course there won’t be that much drama, and of course the team is going to try to make a statement, especially on Senior Day. The Tigers get two weeks off after this, but just be careful here. The Demon Deacons won’t win, but the world is giving the 13th-best offense in America – granted, without WR Sage Surratt – 34.5 points. It’s a not-that-crazy risk to take.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

[lawrence-related id=500342]

You’re teasing me, aren’t you? You’re mocking an exhausted man who hasn’t slept for over two months by telling me and the fine people reading this that Virginia Tech is only giving up six points to Georgia Tech? I know the Yellow Jackets are playing better, but you could make it 16 and I might not blink.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

Don’t think hard here. Duke bad, Syracuse really bad. The 10 seems like a lot for a struggling Blue Devil team to be giving away to anyone right now. but the Orange are winless in a miserable ACC for a reason.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

Am I late to the party here? Have I missed the moment when NC State did anything this year to suggest that it should be just a +4 against any team on the verge of bowl eligibility? The Pack will make it a fight against Louisville, but this is a bad State team.
CFN Game Preview, Prediction
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Week 12 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

NEXT: Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC