Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines for otre Dame vs Virginia

A win for Virginia can put them in a bowl game, and a loss for Notre Dame can pretty much end their chances of making the College Football Playoff.

Against Pitt, the Cavaliers pulled off a surprise win just when it looked like everything was going to the tank after losing three straight games. Now it needs one more win, but its last two games against SMU next week and Virginia Tech will be tough.

It is easy for the Irish to win. It is possible that it will get into the CFP at 10-2, but it will be tough to sell.

The last games are at home against Army in the Bronx and at USC to end the season. But if the team stays as strong as it has been since the Northern Illinois disaster, there will not be any problems.

Notre Dame vs Virginia: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
How to Watch: NBC
Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
Teams: Notre Dame (8-1), Virginia (5-4)

Why Virginia Will Win

They need to make their defense stronger, especially against the run.

As a whole, they win when the run defense holds up. They pitched a gem in the win over Pitt and was great against the run in the blowout loss to North Carolina. They have a 5-2 record when they give up four yards or less per carry and a 0-2 record when they get run over.

It is important to get the running game going because the offensive line is not very good at protecting the pass. Still, the passing game needs to get 200 yards and…

Why Notre Dame Will Win

There you have it. The Virginia offensive line will have a rough day.

The Notre Dame defense has been great overall, and Navy is the only team that has been able to run well against this group. It did not matter who they were.

Many injuries and problems have made people worry about the Irish offensive line, but this group is making everyone look bad.

The team has been able to figure out what works best for them by running, running, and running some more. Navy was smashed by the ground game, which also did whatever it wanted to Florida State last week.

To have a chance, Virginia needs to keep the Irish from gaining more than five yards per carry. It takes six yards per pop for the Irish.

Notre Dame vs Virginia: Who Will Win?

No, the Notre Dame schedule hasn’t been all that great considering Florida State is abysmal, to go along with a slew of games against midrange teams – at least since the opening weekend win over Texas A&M.

But the Irish are doing what you’re supposed to against mediocre competition – it’s CRUSHING everyone.

The Northern Illinois game was a weird blip. Blow it off. The coaching staff called a miserable game. The seven-point win over Louisville wasn’t as tight as that, and the team has blasted everyone else by double-digits.

As long as there aren’t a slew of randomly weird turnovers, the formula will hold. Run the ball, play great D, repeat. On Senior Day, the Irish aren’t going to biff its CFP chances here.