The Notre Dame Fighting Irish suffered their worst loss in decades last weekend — losing 38-35 to Duke in a game where the Irish were favored by 21 points. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was fired the next day and now, Notre Dame will will try and dig itself out of a 1-3 hole starting with the Syracuse Orange in Week 5.
Syracuse is 2-2 to start the season and comes into this one off a 31-25 win over UConn last week. The game will be played at neutral location this week at MetLife Stadium in New York, home to the NFL’s Giants and Jets.
This matchup in Week 5 of the regular season will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at 9 a.m. ET at MetLife Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Notre Dame -13
Syracuse +13
Odds Analysis
Even though Notre Dame has struggled badly this season, it is still a heavy favorite in this road contest. Bettors are wary as Syracuse is being wagered on to cover the spread at a 63 percent clip.
Player to Watch
Eric Dungey -- The Syracuse quarterback has attempted 40 passes or more in every game this season and will likely be counted on to do more of the same in this one. Dungey has thrown for 1,367 yards and nine touchdowns with three interceptions.
He had 407 yards passing with two touchdowns in last week’s win over Connecticut. Notre Dame’s defense has talent but has not fared very well this year and Dungey will test it. His main receiver is Amba Etta-Tawo, who has 40 catches for 706 yards and five touchdowns on the season already and will need to be contained.
Key Stat
201. The number of rushing yards Notre Dame is allowing this season. If the Fighting Irish has plans of turning around the season, the run defense must be ironed out.
A group that had such high hopes it already out of the College Football Playoff picture after four weeks and now simply making a bowl game is the new goal.
Syracuse’s top running back is Dontae Strickland. He has 61 carries for 226 yards on the season and hopes to improve on his yards-per-carry numbers in this one.
Free ATS Pick
Notre Dame started the season with a 50-47 overtime loss to Texas in Week 1. The Irish rebounded the following week with a win over Nevada, but then lost a tough one to Michigan State in Week 3 before being badly upset last week by Duke.
The firing of VanGorder was expected after the defensive struggles so far this season. Notre Dame ranks 103rd in the nation in total defense and is 101st in the nation in points allowed, giving up 33.5 a game so far. Defensive analyst Greg Hudson, a former player for Notre Dame, will take over for VanGorder.
The Fighting Irish feature an extremely talented quarterback in Deshone Kizer, but he needs some help around him. The offense has been solid but not good enough to make up for the deficiencies on defense.
Syracuse is allowing 34.5 points per game so this one could have its fair share of points. The Orange are hoping to push for a bowl game, and this is expected to be a loss, so an upset win would be big.
It might be a little too tough of a task for another underdog to knock off the Irish. However, the Orange should be able to hang tough. The spread is too high as Syracuse has the offensive firepower to make this one close and cover the spread.
However, Notre Dame will get back on track with a victory. The Irish have started very slowly and hope to salvage their season, starting with this contest.
College Football Odds: Notre Dame 38, Syracuse 30
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