The first few games of the new college football season are already in the books, with the ranked teams that have played taking care of business. We are, though, going to see some surprises as this season unfolds, with the biggest question being whether the top-ranked teams at the start of the year will still be there when the regular season comes to a close. The favorites to make the playoffs include the usual cast of character, such as Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia, but there are a few others who could make a run at a National Championship if they can surpass the storms that are sure to come.
Notre Dame needs to be considered one of those teams. After all, they became the first Independent team to make it into the playoffs last season, although they came up short, losing to Clemson in the CFP semi-finals. They have a tough road to travel to get there, and it all begins in primetime this coming Monday night, with the Irish going on the road to face the Louisville Cardinals. Notre Dame is in as an 18-point favorite, with the point total set at 54 ½.
Notre Dame vs Louisville 2019 College Football Week 1 Lines & Game Preview
- When: Monday, September 2, 8 PM EST
- Where: Cardinals Stadium, Louisville
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- College Football Week 1 Lines: Notre Dame -18 (Total 54.5)
Houston vs Oklahoma 2019 College Football Week 1 Odds, Game Info & Pick
Weather Forecast
- Partly Cloudy: 32°C/90°F
- Humidity: 60%
- Precipitation: 20%
- Cloud Cover: 31%
- Wind: 81 mph W
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish?
Last year was one for the ages for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as they battled their way to an unbeaten season and a well-deserved spot in the college football playoff, where they lost 30-3 to Clemson. If the Irish are to get back there again this season, they are going to need to win some very big games.
They will once again need to go through Michigan and Stanford, only this time on the road, as well as try to navigate a road game against #3 ranked Georgia. If they can take 2 of those games and go unbeaten the rest of the way, Notre Dame will certainly be in the playoff conversation. The Irish are 8-0 SU in their last 8 September games and are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Week 1 games.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 31.38
- Passing Yards: 257.46
- Rushing Yards: 182.62
- Yards per Play: 6.00
- Points per Game: 18.23
- Passing Yards: 207.92
- Rushing Yards: 139.46
- Yards per Play: 4.72
Why bet on the Louisville Cardinals?
The Cardinals will be hoping to see some improvement under new head coach Scott Satterfield, who appears to have a bit of a job on his hands in Louisville. The Cardinals are coming off a truly awful 2-10 season and are looking to start fresh with their new coaching staff. This is perhaps not the best start to the season for the Cardinals, as it’s never really good to go up against a potential playoff team when you are in the process of rebuilding.
The Cardinals closed out last year with 9 straight defeats and failed to cover in their last 7. They are also just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games played in September. They are unbeaten in their last 7 against Independents, but that will change this coming Monday.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 19.75
- Passing Yards: 211.08
- Rushing Yards: 141.50
- Yards per Play: 5.31
- Points per Game: 44.08
- Passing Yards: 206.25
- Rushing Yards: 277.25
- Yards per Play: 6.88
Middle Tennessee vs Michigan 2019 College Football Week 1 Betting Lines & Pick
Notre Dame vs Louisville 2019 College Football Week 1 Betting Trends
- Fighting Irish are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games played in September
- Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played in week 1
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Notre Dame’s last 5 games on the road
- Cardinals are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games at home
- Cardinals are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Louisville’s last 8 games
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
While it is a road game for the Irish, I think the 18-point spread is a bit of a bargain, as I like the Irish to win a good deal more comfortably than that. I am taking Notre Dame to both win and cover the spread.
Score: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 45 – Louisville Cardinals 10
