Analyzing the Odds: #10 Notre Dame football travels to #25 Louisville

#10 Notre Dame football is a slight favorite for their road game against #25 Louisville. 

Historically, Notre Dame football has always had a daunting schedule. This season is no different. Saturday night, the tenth-ranked Irish travel to #25 Louisville. The Cardinals are the third consecutive ranked opponent for Notre Dame. Head coach Jeff Brohm has his squad playing well. They are undefeated going into Saturday night’s tilt.

Both the Cardinals and the Irish are coming off close victories. Notre Dame football needed a walk-off touchdown run from running back Austric Estime, while Louisville won a tight contest against North Carolina State. Saturday night is the first meeting between the schools since Notre Dame’s 12-7 win in 2020.

Louisviller players to watch

Jake Plummer: Brohm and the California transfer had a relationship stemming from their time together at Purdue. Plummer knows what Brohm wants and how he wants it done. Plummer has thrown for over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Notre Dame is also the best secondary he’s faced.

Jawar Jordan: The running game is one of the primary reasons Louisville has had so much offensive success this season. Jordan is the Louisville running game. He has thirty more carries than anyone else, leading the team in rushing.

Ashton Gillotte: The Cardinal pass rush has been one of the best in the ACC, and Gillotte’s team-leading five sacks have been the catalyst.

Mitchell Evans: The Notre Dame tight end leads the team in receptions and yards. He gets his first touchdown reception Saturday night.

Jeremiyah Love: While Audric Estime is the engine that drives the Irish running game, Love has proven that he can impact without much volume. Notre Dame is going to need that Saturday night.

Joe Alt and Blake Fisher: Both tackles face another formidable defensive line with solid rush ends. They’ll need to hold up against the Cardinal pass rushers.

Notre Dame Football Betting Lines:

 Odds: Notre Dame -6.5

Total: o/u 54

Money Line: Louisville +199/Notre Dame -244

Keys to Victory for Notre Dame Football:

The Irish expect to get two of its best weapons back in Jayden Thomas and Jaden Greathouse on Saturday. Their return should help the perimeter-receiving game. That said, look for slot receiver Chris Tyree to have a breakout game. He’s the most explosive player on the offense and hasn’t gotten loose yet.

The defense has to establish the line of scrimmage and slow down Louisvile’s rushing attack. The Cardinals are averaging over 190 yards per game on the ground. It could be challenging for the Irish if Louisville can be balanced offensively.