Cincinnati at Notre Dame odds, picks and prediction
The No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats (3-0) and No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0) meet Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Cincinnati vs. Notre Dame odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Bearcats have passed all three tests to date, scoring 38 or more points in each. Cincinnati won its first road game two weeks ago at Indiana 38-24, and it has had two weeks to prepare for this marquee matchup.
The Fighting Irish started off a little sluggish, nearly blowing a game at Florida State Sept. 5 before winning in overtime. They nearly lost to Toledo Sept. 11, eking out a 32-29 win. The Irish kicked it into high gear in a win and cover (against the spread) vs. Purdue 27-13, and routed Wisconsin in Chicago 41-13 last week to serve notice to the rest of the nation that they're back.
Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Cincinnati at Notre Dame odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:52 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cincinnati -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Notre Dame +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cincinnati -1.5 (-112) | Notre Dame +1.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Cincinnati at Notre Dame odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Notre Dame 27, Cincinnati 24
Money line
NOTRE DAME (+102) finds itself short dogs at home with a rather curious line coming off a giant win over Wisconsin last time out.
Yes, Cincinnati has had two weeks to prepare. And yes, it enters unbeaten, but who has UC really played? Indiana is the best team the Bearcats have faced, and IU is not exactly a powerhouse like last season. Cincy is about to find out against an Irish team starting to find its identity.
Against the spread
AVOID. Playing Notre Dame +1.5 (-108) doesn't make sense, unless you're absolutely certain Cincinnati -1.5 (-112) is going to win by just one point.
If you like the Irish, play them straight up on the money line at home.
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Over/Under
OVER 49.5 (-108) is the lean here, ever so slightly.
The Over has connected in three of four games for the Irish so far, as Notre Dame is averaging 35.3 points per game (PPG). Cincinnati has racked up 43.0 PPG, good for 10th in the country. Sure, the UC defense has been sharp, but again, who has it faced?
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