Notre Dame (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) will put its 26-game home winning streak on the line when it hosts Cincinnati (3-0, 2-1). The Bearcats have covered 10 of their last 13 games against teams with winning records and have had extra time to prepare after enjoying a bye last week.
- Date/Time: October 2, 2:30 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
- TV Coverage: NBC
- Sportsbook Odds: Notre Dame -1.5 | O/U 50 (Line History)
- Cincinnati vs Notre Dame Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Notre Dame opened as a 1.5-point favorite, but the line had flipped to Cincinnati -2.5 by the time of writing Sunday night — possibly because of the Irish’s injury situation at quarterback. If Notre Dame moves back to a favorite before kickoff, it’s worth noting the Irish have covered 35 straight as chalk.
Cincinnati News & Notes
As if fighting for national playoff consideration wasn’t already enough motivation for the seventh-ranked Bearcats, they’ve got a little added incentive this week facing former defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman.
“He shouldn’t have left,” linebacker Deshawn Pace told the Cincinnati Enquirer about Freeman’s decision to leave Cincy for Notre Dame this past spring. “So now, we just gotta go out there and show him why he shouldn’t have left.”
The Bearcats have had plenty of time to prepare for their former DC, sitting idle last week following a come-from-behind 38-24 win over Indiana in Week 3. Something they might want to address during the break is their troubling habit of starting slowly. Cincy was tied with FCS opponent Murray State at halftime in Week 2 and then failed to score on its first six possessions against the Hoosiers, digging itself an early 14-0 hole.
Notre Dame News & Notes
The Fighting Irish are still undefeated this season and have won 35 straight as a favorite, but there could still be a quarterback controversy brewing in South Bend. Notre Dame managed just 10 points with starter Jack Coan under center last week against Wisconsin, then exploded for 31 points in the fourth quarter after Coan hurt his leg and Drew Pyne came on in relief.
Of course, Pyne had plenty of help as three of the Irish’s four touchdowns in the final frame came on special teams or defense, including a pair of late pick-sixes. But Notre Dame’s third-string pivot, who only played because backup Tyler Buchner was dealing with a sore hamstring, did look sharp in completing six of eight passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Coach Brian Kelly, who became the winningest coach in Notre Dame history with the victory over Wisconsin, immediately squashed any QB controversy talk by telling reporters that Coan is the starter if he’s healthy enough to play.
But don’t be surprised if Pyne gets some consideration if Coan scuffles in his return behind a Notre Dame offensive line that is struggling in both run blocking and pass protection. The Irish ran for just three yards last week and allowed six sacks.
Staff Betting Pick: UNDER 50.5
Don’t be misled by last week’s 41-point outing — Notre Dame’s offense isn’t working right now, and a matchup with the defensive-minded Bearcats isn’t likely to fix it. Expect Cincinnati to play the style that has seen it go UNDER in its last 10 games as a road underdog.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- The UNDER is 10-0 in Cincinnati’s last 10 as a road underdog.
- Cincinnati is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games vs plus-.500 teams.
- Notre Dame is 26-0 SU in its last 26 home games.
