3:37 pm
November 27

#2 Notre Dame @ #19 North Carolina

Who will WIN this matchup?

#2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-0)

@ #19 North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2)

 

Current odds:

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: (-200)

North Carolina Tar Heels: (+175)

 

• The line for this game is Notre Dame by 5.5 points.

• A week off might have been good for No. 2 Notre Dame, but the Fighting Irish must return to action ready for more challenges. A matchup with No. 25 North Carolina comes next for Notre Dame on Friday at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

• With three games remaining, Notre Dame (8-0, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) still has work to do to qualify for the ACC championship game. Clemson and Miami, both with one loss, are in the mix, while North Carolina (6-2, 6-2) can stay in contention by defeating the Irish.

• Notre Dame and North Carolina have similar firepower, though that’s often produced in varying fashions. In its most recent game, North Carolina wiped out a 21-point second-half hole to overcome visiting Wake Forest 59-53 on Nov. 14. Later that day, Notre Dame followed its conquering of then-No. 1 Clemson by winning 45-31 at Boston College. Howell posted a school-record 550 passing yards against Wake Forest. Howell tops the ACC with 338 yards per game of total offense and 23 touchdown passes.

• Kelly said the Irish continue to evolve at the cornerback position, which includes true freshman Clarence Lewis on one side. In order to keep the Tar Heels in check, controlling the line of scrimmage will be important.

• Notre Dame limits opponents to an ACC-best 85.1 rushing yards per game. North Carolina running backs Javonte Williams (108.5) and Michael Carter (100.9) both average more than that on the ground individually. Williams has a league-high 18 touchdowns, 15 coming on the ground.

• Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book has thrown for 11 touchdowns with one interception. Irish running back Kyren Williams has posted 97.1 rushing yards per game.

• Notre Dame will have adjustments to make on the offensive line. Four-year starting right guard Tommy Kraemer underwent an appendectomy and will miss the North Carolina game, according to reports out of South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame is already without center Jarrett Patterson because of a broken foot.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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