Notre Dame Football: Under or Over 9 Wins In 2015?

Notre Dame Football: Under or Over 9 Wins in 2015?

5Dimes released win totals for all 128 FBS College Football teams. A gambler can bet either under or over the win total projected by 5Dimes. 

For example, an individual could bet the over on Ohio State who is projected to win at least 11 games. The Buckeyes would need to win 12 games or more for the gambler to win.

Ohio State’s 11 wins is the highest projected total. Kansas holds the lowest projection with 1.5 wins.

Notre Dame landed a 9 win projection. Will the Irish land under or over that total? Or will they simply push?

“Guaranteed Wins”

• UMass (Sept. 26): The Minutemen finished the season with a 3-9 record. UMass managed victories over Kent State, Eastern Michigan and Ball State. The Minutemen were much better than their record indicated. They had close losses against Colorado (41-38), Vanderbilt (34-31), Bowling Green (47-42), Miami (OH) (42-41) and Toledo (42-35). 19 total points or an average of 3.8 points per game separated the Minutemen from an 8-4 record. With all of that being said, Notre Dame’s talent should overwhelm UMass.
• Navy (Oct. 10): Notre Dame escaped an upset bid by Navy in 2014 with a 49-39 victory. The Midshipmen play Notre Dame tough regardless of record. Notre Dame has Parade All-Americans. Navy has players who will someday march in parades. A focused Notre Dame team will beat Navy every time.
• @ Temple (Oct. 31): The 2013 Notre Dame Football team sleep walked past the Temple Owls. Temple improved during their 2014 campaign and finished with a 6-6 record. Again, Notre Dame’s talent should be enough to get them by. But, an improving Temple team could find a way to make it interesting.
• Wake Forest (Nov. 14): The Fighting Irish shutout the Demon Deacons on Senior Day in 2012, 38-0. The 2014 team finished with a 3-9 record. A result similar to the Senior Day shut out could be in store in 2015.

“More Likely Than Not”

• Texas (Sept. 5): Notre Dame opens the season under the lights against the Texas Longhorns. Openers are always dangerous because all of the “kinks” have not been worked out. The Longhorns should be much improved in Charlie Strong’s 2nd year. However, they have significant Quarterback issues.
• @ Virginia (Sept. 12): The Cavaliers have improved under Mike London. However, Virginia only finished with a 5-7 record last year. Notre Dame’s first road game of the season could produce some rough play from the Irish. But, Notre Dame typically plays their best football on the road under Brian Kelly.
• @ Pittsburgh (Nov. 7): The last time Notre Dame traveled to Pittsburgh, the Irish were upset and effectively eliminated from the BCS Bowl picture. Pitt finished the 2014-2015 seasons with a 6-7 record. Notre Dame should walk away with a victory.
• Boston College (Nov. 21): This game could land in the “Toss Up” category. Despite this being a “home game” for Notre Dame at Fenway Park, the Eagles will give Notre Dame the best effort. Notre Dame definitely has more talent. But, will they be able to match Boston College’s intensity?
• @ Stanford (Nov. 28): Notre Dame needed a last minute Ben Koyack touchdown reception to beat the Cardinal last year. The Cardinal finished 8-5 last season after multiple 10+ win seasons. Many experts may have this in the toss up category but this will be the first year that Kelly gets a win in Palo Alto.

“Toss Up”

• Georgia Tech (Sept. 19): The description of Georgia Tech that has been consistent during the off-season is: “Navy. On Steroids.” Notre Dame has had great difficulty in stopping the triple option attack of the Naval Academy. The Yellow Jackets are just more athletic.
• @ Clemson (Oct. 3): Notre Dame visits Clemson, South Carolina on the first weekend in October. This game will most likely be the ABC night game. As the Tigers run down the hill and rub Howard’s Rock, the atmosphere will be electric. Notre Dame must fight through the home crowd to beat the Tigers. Typically, Notre Dame plays their best football under these conditions. In 2014, Notre Dame went toe-to-toe with Florida State at night in Tallahassee.
• USC (Oct. 17): The Trojans are the most dangerous and talented team on the Notre Dame football schedule. Cody Kessler is probably the best Quarterback that Notre Dame will face all year. Notre Dame has the advantage of playing under the lights in the “House that Rockne Built.”

Smart money takes the “over” here. Notre Dame appears poised to win at least 9 games and could push it to double digits with victories over Georgia Tech, Clemson or USC. If the win 9 games, they will at least “push”. It seems less likely that they would only win 8 games in 2015.