Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Wisconsin Badgers Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 25 (9/25): NCAAF

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Wisconsin Badgers Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 25 (9/25): NCAAF

Credit: photo by Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

 

Odds

 

Time 12:00 p.m. EST
Fighting Irish money line +160
Fighting Irish spread +2.5 (-110)
Boilermakers money line -120
Boilermakers spread -2.5 (-110)
Over / under 45

 

Preview

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will meet the Wisconsin Badgers for their annual Shamrock Series game from Soldier Field. The Badgers will be looking to hand the Fighting Irish their first loss this season.

 

Offensive matchup
Notre Dame

This game will mean a lot to senior quarterback Jack Coan. He started thirteen games for the Badgers prior to landing in South Bend, throwing for 2,541 yards in 2019. Coan has brought that same steady play to Notre Dame, and he had another solid start against Purdue last weekend. Coan threw for 223 yards and two scores, bringing his totals to 828 passing yards with eight touchdowns to two interceptions.

Kyren Williams is coming off of another strong performance as well. The sophomore back gained 91 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns, including a 51-yard rushing score and a 39-yard touchdown catch. Tight end Michael Mayer had a quiet game last week is leading the team with 17 catches, 206 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Senior wideout Avery Davis caught five catches for 120 yards and a score against the Boilermakers.

 

Wisconsin

Graham Mertz rebounded and managed the game well last week after a rough contest against Penn State. He went 14 for 17 for 141 yards, and he's still looking for his first touchdown pass of the season. He may just raise his play with Coan on the other side Saturday.

The Badgers have given Chez Mellusi the majority of the touches through their first two games. Mellusi followed up a 121-yard performance against PSU by taking 20 carries for 144 rushing yards and a score in the win over EMU. Junior back Isaac Guerendo has complimented him 148 yards, including a 82-yard touchdown run last weekend. Senior Danny Davis III is the primary target, and he had a good showing against Penn State, catching eight passes for 99 receiving yards. Fellow senior, tight end Jake Ferguson leads the team with 12 catches.

 

Defensive matchup

Notre Dame played Purdue really well defensively last weekend. They eliminated their run game, forced a pair of turnovers, and got to the quarterback three times.

After holding Penn State to 16 points in the opener, the Badgers held Eastern Michigan to less than 100 yards of total offense last weekend.

Prediction

The writing's on the wall for Jack Coan to play well and lead Notre Dame to a victory. Wisconsin didn't show much in their opener against Penn State, while Notre Dame has given us three samples of them winning tough games. Brian Kelly's team could add Wisconsin to the list with another sound performance on both sides of the ball. Take Notre Dame's underdog moneyline, with both the storylines and recent play of their sides.

PICK: Notre Dame ML (+160)

 

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