model – Syndication Server

Notre Dame vs. Pitt: What do the simulations say will happen Saturday?

Can Notre Dame get a much needed win on Saturday night?

It’s no secret that Notre Dame (7-14 overall, 2-8 in ACC) has struggled this season as it was something most expected coming in. While starting to show growth in early January, the Irish have now lost five-straight games in a streak that is nearing a month.

Can Notre Dame get a much needed win on the road Saturday evening at Pittsburgh (14-8, 4-6)?

Plenty of computer models are out with projections for college basketball games this weekend. What do they say about Notre Dame’s chances in the Steel City?

The NCAA Game Simulator gives an understandable edge to the Panthers in their 412 simulation model. It has Pitt winning 289 of those (70.1%) and by routing the Irish by 20 or more in roughly 1/5 of those (20.1%).

Notre Dame and Pitt tip off Saturday night in Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. ET.

ESPN projects Michael Mayer as most likely pick for Saints at No. 29

An ESPN analytical model projects Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer as the most likely pick for the New Orleans Saints at No. 29 in the 2023 draft:

Everyone seems to have a take on the 2023 NFL draft, and now the computers are getting involved. According to this ESPN analytical model, the likeliest pick for the New Orleans Saints at No. 29 is Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer. Here is how ESPN describes its model:

The underlying model is based on prospect grades from Scouts Inc, expert mock drafts, and team needs along with a few other factors. The Predictor considers these factors in proportion to how accurate they have been in the past.

Mayer would make a lot of sense for the Saints, even if he doesn’t boast an elite Relative Athletic Score and would expect Juwan Johnson to remain ahead of him on the depth chart. He’s one of the best blocking tight ends in this draft class with experience handling a wide variety of assignments, but he’s also a serious receiving threat who posted some of college football’s best numbers on contested catches. He could help the Saints in multiple phases offensively.

ESPN’s model approximates a 48% chance of Mayer being available when the Saints are on the clock, and a 7% chance that New Orleans would actually pick him. But he isn’t their only option. Here are the other names to watch according to ESPN’s mathematicians:

ESPN FPI Projects Notre Dame’s conclusion to 2021

A slightly better than 1-in-3 chance Notre Dame wins out?

Notre Dame sits at 8-1, has a path, albeit a difficult one, to the College Football Playoff, and has three games they’ll be favored in remaining to close 2021.

How do the formulas see Notre Dame finishing this year?

We’ve looked at ESPN’s FPI throughout the year and looked at what kind of chances they give Notre Dame to win their remaining games. Now with only three games left their outlook is bright for the Irish to finish 11-1. Here is how they’re projecting the final three games of 2021 for Notre Dame:

Gators News: July 16, 2020

The main story this week for Gators fans has been the SEC’s response to the Big 10’s and the PAC-12’s decision to play conference-only games

Thursday is here again and as we cruise towards the weekend things remain pretty weird in the sports world thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak and the varying ways both the public and athletic leagues have responded to it.

The main story this week for Gators fans has been the Southeastern Conference’s response to the Big 10’s and the PAC-12’s decision to limit its conference schedules within the confines of its member ranks, which could be something of a compromise at this point. The SEC has suggested a 10-game schedule this season consisting of eight intra-conference games and two non-conference games among three models, including an eight-game SEC-only plan and a nine or 10-game schedule that would include at least one scheduled Power 5 matchup.

Here is the rest of the news from the Gator Nation.

Around the Swamp

Here’s a look at the SEC’s best receivers from each school and how they rank: After previously examining each Southeastern Conference program’s projected quarterback and lead tailback entering the 2020 season, this third installment in our Gators Wire original series will attempt to rank the likely No. 1 wide receiver for every member school this fall.
18 Florida Gators commits named to Sports Illustrated’s All-American watch list: 10 of the future Gators to receive this honor project to contribute on the offensive side of the football in Gainesville, led by Ocala four-star wide receiver Trevonte Rucker.
Florida Gators freshman receiver Dionte Marks enters transfer portal: After graduating four senior receivers, the position group gets even thinner heading into 2020 as redshirt freshman wideout Dionte Marks has entered the transfer portal, according to multiple reports.

It’s great to be a Florida Gator!

Congratulations to TE Kyle Pitts for making the Biletnikoff Award Watch List! 👏@kylepitts__ x @biletnikoffawrd #GatorStandard 🐊 pic.twitter.com/G1S0LZXRxd

— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) July 16, 2020

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