Utah Utes at Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
Saturday, November 13, 2010, 2:30 pm Eastern, TV: NBC
Opening Line: Utah -5 1/2
Current Line: Utah -6
Opening Total: 53 1/2
Current Total: 54
Money Line: Utah -225 / Notre Dame +185
The Utah Utes travel to Notre Dame for the first time ever to play the Fighting Irish. Both teams are coming off embarrassing losses. Utah was humiliated in a 47-7 defeat at home to TCU, and Notre Dame lost 2 weeks ago at home to Tulsa 28-27. Utah is 8-1 and Notre Dame is 4-5. In order to become bowl eligible, the Irish must win 2 out of their last 3 games. It won’t be easy as they play Utah, a dangerous Army team, and USC in Los Angeles. The two teams have never met before, but until last week Utah was 6-1 SU in November games recently while Notre Dame is 2-9 ATS in their past 11 November home games. Utah is 6-0 ATS playing a team with a losing record over the last two seasons. Notre Dame is 4-13 ATS in home games after 2 or more consecutive straight-up losses since 1992. Notre Dame is 55-11-1 all time against teams making their first trip to Notre Dame Stadium and are 28-7 after a week off since 1984.
Utah was ranked number 5 last week coming into their showdown with #3 TCU in Salt Lake City. They had won 22 straight games at home straight up. It all came off the tracks rapidly as TCU destroyed them 47-7. It wasn’t even that close. A Utah assistant coach came up to TCU coach Gary Patterson while he was being interviewed after the game and told Patterson TCU could have beaten them by 100 points if they wanted to. I know it is just one game but TCU dismantled them so much that is raises questions about how good the Utes really are. Five of Utah’s victories are over some of the worst teams in college football. UNLV, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado St, and San Jose St have 8 combined wins. Three of those are from Colorado St. Six of those eight victories are against each other or FCS opponents. The other two are against Idaho and Toledo, not exactly powerhouse programs. The Ute’s other victories are over teams that will go to bowls, but Pittsburgh, Iowa St, and Air Force are all decent but flawed teams. We will find out more about Utah as they finish at Notre Dame, at San Diego St, and home against arch-rival BYU. Utah is led offensively by quarterback Jordan Wynn, running backs Eddie Wide & Matt Asiata, and receivers Devonte Christopher & Jereme Brooks. They are outscoring their opponents 41-18 and outgaining them 422-300. The Utes are very tough agaisnt the run giving up only 111 yards a game.
Notre Dame lost quarterback Dane Crist for the season to a knee injury in the first quarter against Tulsa two weeks ago. Freshman Tommy Rees wasn’t bad in his debut throwing for 334 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He threw a crucial interception when Notre Dame was in field goal range to try and win the game with 30 seconds to play. He threw it into the end zone and Tulsa intercepted it to seal the upset. Notre Dame is outscoring its opponents 26-25 and is outgaining them 402-393. The Irish have a turnover ratio of -3 and have forced 24 sacks. Running back Armando Allen Jr. is the teams leading rusher with 107 carries and two touchdown runs. The Irish only rush for 113 yards a game. The Irish only have 8 rushing touchdowns for the season and Crist had 4 of those. Michael Floyd is the team’s leading receiver with 55 catches. 728 yards, and 8 touchdown catches. Six Notre Dame receivers have at least one touchdown catch.
Though Notre Dame has struggled under new coach Brian Kelly, Utah can’t overlook this team. The trip to historic Notre Dame Stadium should be enough to offset the emotional letdown for Utah after being so thoroughly whipped the week before. Both of these teams are anxious to prove they aren’t as bad as their last games indicate. Weather will be a factor as the temperature will be in the low 50’s with a 60 percent chance of rain.
Gotta think that Utah wont be feeling too confident after last weeks disaster but we expect them to bounce back against a banged up Notre Dame team. We have spotted 8 solid winners for Saturday including a rare 20 unit release. Visit the college football predictions page to get this rare 20 unit winner which we are 75% on those releases thus far this year.
