notre dame vs ohio state betting line

Notre Dame vs Ohio State Betting Line Analysis

The Notre Dame vs․ Ohio State betting line opened with the Buckeyes as 8․5-point favorites‚ but that line has since shrunk to Ohio State -3․ This significant shift indicates a growing belief in Notre Dame’s ability to keep the game close․

Key Betting Odds and Trends

As of July 29‚ 2024‚ the key betting odds and trends for the Notre Dame vs․ Ohio State game are as follows⁚

• Point Spread⁚ Ohio State is currently favored by 3 points․ This relatively close spread suggests a competitive matchup is expected․ The line opened with Ohio State as 8․5-point favorites but has steadily decreased‚ indicating increasing confidence in Notre Dame’s ability to cover‚ if not win outright․
• Over/Under: The over/under is set at 55 points․ This high total suggests oddsmakers anticipate a high-scoring affair‚ which aligns with Ohio State’s historically potent offense and Notre Dame’s offensive improvements under Sam Hartman;
• Moneyline⁚ The moneyline favors Ohio State at -165‚ while Notre Dame sits at +140․ This means a $165 bet on Ohio State would yield a $100 profit if they win‚ while a $100 bet on Notre Dame would yield a $140 profit if they pull off the upset․

Several betting trends are also worth considering⁚

• Recent Over Trends⁚ Ten of Ohio State’s last 13 games have gone over the total‚ indicating their offensive firepower often translates to high-scoring contests․
• Ohio State’s Recent Spread Struggles⁚ Ohio State has only covered the spread three times in its last nine games and holds a 1-4 record against the spread in its last five games as a favorite․ This trend suggests bettors should be cautious when laying points with the Buckeyes‚ even against a historically strong program like Notre Dame․



• Notre Dame’s Home Underdog Performance⁚ Notre Dame has a mixed record at home under coach Marcus Freeman‚ going 6-2 straight up but only 3-5 against the spread․ However‚ they secured a notable upset victory as home underdogs last season‚ defeating a then-ranked No․ 13 Clemson team 35-14․ This victory demonstrates their potential to outperform expectations‚ particularly in significant home games․

These odds and trends paint a picture of a closely contested matchup with the potential for plenty of points․ While Ohio State enters as the favorite‚ the shrinking spread and Notre Dame’s recent performances suggest the Fighting Irish are more than capable of keeping things interesting and potentially pulling off an upset‚ especially at home․

Historical Performance and Recent Form

Examining the historical performance and recent form of both Notre Dame and Ohio State provides valuable context for bettors evaluating this matchup․

Historically‚ Ohio State has dominated the series․ The Buckeyes have won the last four contests‚ including two Fiesta Bowl victories and a 21-10 win in their last meeting in 2022․ Notre Dame’s last victory against Ohio State came back in 1936․ This lopsided history underscores Ohio State’s consistent dominance‚ particularly in recent times․

However‚ recent form suggests a potentially tighter contest․ While Ohio State finished the 2023 season strong with a Rose Bowl victory over Utah‚ their overall performance against the spread raised concerns‚ covering only three times in their last nine games․ This trend suggests their on-field results haven’t always matched their pre-game expectations․

On the other hand‚ Notre Dame enters the 2024 season with optimism after a strong finish to the previous year․ The arrival of transfer quarterback Sam Hartman has significantly boosted their offense․ Hartman’s impressive performances‚ throwing for 13 touchdowns and no interceptions through the first four games‚ have injected a new level of potency into their attack․

Furthermore‚ Notre Dame’s defense has shown marked improvement under coach Marcus Freeman․ They rank among the nation’s best in pass efficiency defense‚ a testament to their ability to limit explosive plays through the air․ This defensive strength could prove crucial in containing Ohio State’s high-powered passing game․

While history favors Ohio State‚ Notre Dame’s recent form and Hartman’s arrival have undoubtedly leveled the playing field․ This matchup appears much closer than their historical head-to-head record might initially suggest‚ making for an intriguing betting opportunity for those backing the Fighting Irish․

Offensive and Defensive Matchup Analysis

The offensive and defensive matchup between Notre Dame and Ohio State presents a fascinating clash of strengths and potential vulnerabilities‚ adding another layer of intrigue for bettors․

On the offensive side‚ Ohio State boasts an explosive attack led by quarterback Kyle McCord and star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr․ Harrison‚ averaging an eye-popping 21․7 yards per catch‚ presents a significant challenge for any defense․ McCord’s efficiency in the short passing game‚ coupled with his ability to connect on deep throws‚ keeps defenses guessing․

Notre Dame’s defense will be tested by Ohio State’s offensive firepower․ However‚ their strong pass efficiency defense‚ ranked among the nation’s best‚ could prove to be a formidable obstacle․ Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator Al Golden will need to devise creative coverage schemes to limit Harrison’s impact and force McCord into uncomfortable throws․

Conversely‚ Notre Dame’s offense‚ now spearheaded by veteran quarterback Sam Hartman‚ has shown remarkable improvement․ Hartman’s experience and leadership have ignited the passing game‚ turning it into a legitimate threat․ With multiple receiving options at his disposal‚ Notre Dame can attack Ohio State’s defense from various angles․

Ohio State’s defense‚ while improved from the previous season‚ still has areas to prove․ Their ability to contain Hartman’s downfield passing prowess will be paramount․ Limiting big plays through the air has been a point of emphasis for Ohio State’s defensive coordinator Jim Knowles‚ and this game will be a stern test of their progress․

The key matchup to watch will be Ohio State’s wide receivers against Notre Dame’s secondary․ If Notre Dame can contain Harrison and force McCord to rely on other targets‚ they’ll have a strong chance to slow down Ohio State’s offense․ On the flip side‚ if Hartman can exploit any weaknesses in Ohio State’s secondary‚ Notre Dame’s offense could put up significant points․

This matchup of contrasting styles – Ohio State’s explosiveness against Notre Dame’s defensive resilience – makes for a compelling clash․ Bettors should pay close attention to how these units match up‚ as it could significantly impact the game’s outcome and influence the point spread․

Expert Predictions and Picks

The Notre Dame vs․ Ohio State matchup has captivated college football analysts‚ generating a buzz of anticipation and diverse expert predictions․ While opinions vary on the outright winner‚ the consensus leans towards a closely contested‚ high-stakes battle․

Several analysts favor Ohio State‚ citing their offensive firepower and home-field advantage as decisive factors․ They highlight Marvin Harrison Jr․’s game-breaking ability and Kyle McCord’s steady improvement as key advantages for the Buckeyes․ However‚ they also acknowledge Notre Dame’s defensive strength and Hartman’s experience as potential equalizers․

Other experts lean towards Notre Dame‚ pointing to their defensive prowess and Sam Hartman’s transformative impact on their offense․ They believe Notre Dame’s ability to limit big plays and force Ohio State into a grind-it-out game could disrupt the Buckeyes’ rhythm․ The Irish’s experience in big games‚ particularly under pressure‚ is another factor favoring them․

In terms of specific picks‚ the spread has garnered significant attention․ With Ohio State favored by only 3 points‚ many experts see value in Notre Dame covering the spread․ They believe the Irish’s defense can keep the game within reach‚ even if they don’t pull off the outright upset․

The over/under‚ set at 55 points‚ has also sparked debate․ Some analysts predict a high-scoring affair‚ citing both teams’ offensive potential․ Others lean towards the under‚ highlighting Notre Dame’s defensive strength and the possibility of a more strategic‚ lower-scoring game․

Ultimately‚ the Notre Dame vs․ Ohio State game presents bettors with a fascinating dilemma․ Both teams possess strengths and weaknesses‚ making it a challenging game to predict with certainty․ Thorough research‚ careful consideration of expert opinions‚ and an understanding of the betting lines are crucial for making informed wagering decisions․