Notre Dame football game Saturday: Notre Dame football vs Cincinnati odds and prediction for NCAA Week 5 game
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team will look to run their record to 5-0 this Saturday, facing what could be their toughest opponent in the Cincinnati Bearcats.
The Notre Dame football team is officially back in the top-10, ranking No. 9 overall in the latest AP Poll, this after dismantling the Wisconsin Badgers inside Soldier Field this past Saturday. On the strength of their defense, and strong play from third-string quarterback Drew Pyne, Notre Dame played as the underdog but ended up winning 41-14 against the No. 18 team in the country.
It was the kind of win that they needed heading into a tough part of their schedule, which includes this Saturday’s game against Cincinnati. The Bearcats are the No. 7 team in the country, the highest-rated team left on their schedule, and there are plenty of storylines in this one.
Notre Dame football vs Cincinnati Odds Week 5
The Week 5 betting odds on WynnBET have yet to be released for this matchup between Notre Dame football and Cincinnati. As was the case this past week, the Irish are likely going to be the underdog against the Bearcats, who some believe are a sleeper to make the College Football Playoff this season.
Notre Dame football vs Cincinnati Prediction Week 5
This is going to be a tall task for the Irish, who looked very pedestrian the first three weeks before their defense picked them up in a big way on Saturday. We saw Pyne come in and orchestrate the offense to perfection, as Marcus Freeman’s defense made life very difficult for Wisconsin starter Graham Mertz in the second half.
Overall, it was a dominating effort by a defense that continues to get better, and one that will have its toughest assignment this weekend. Quarterback Desmond Ridder is a legitimate first-round talent and will be looking to dissect a defense that was all over the Badgers passing game in Week 4.
I like the Irish to shock the Bearcats at home, coming away with a 24-21 victory against Ridder and company. The win will be a huge one for Freeman and Kelly and will put Notre Dame football in the conversation for a legitimate CFP berth.