BYU Cougars vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Picks, Predictions, Odds

The No. 16 BYU Cougars are underdogs in their Shamrock Series game against the 2-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish this week. These teams will meet on Sunday, October 8, 2022, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Updated on 04/26/2024

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BYU COUGARS vs. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH BETTING PREDICTION

The BYU Cougars and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will meet for just the ninth time this weekend. All eight of their previous games were on campus though, away from the glitz and glam of Sin City. That will provide an interesting backdrop for Saturday night’s clash between these two religious institutions and football powers.

Score Prediction: BYU 27, Notre Dame 24
Best Bet: BYU +3.5 (-110)

BYU COUGARS vs. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH BETTING ODDS

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BYU COUGARS vs. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022
Matchup: Independent
Venue: Allegiant Stadium
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Time-TV: NBC, 7:00 p.m. ET
Expert Picks

BYU COUGARS BETTING ANALYSIS

Jaren Hall is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the nation. Hall is completing 70.2% of his passes for 1,438 yards (8.4 YPA) with 12 touchdowns and an interception coming into this game.  He isn’t afraid to throw the ball down the field with leading receiver Keanu Hill averaging 20.6 YPR, and that has forced defenses to respect his arm.

BYU has some real injury questions at the skill positions ahead of this game. No. 1 wide receiver Puka Nacua has only played sparingly this season, but he is listed as probable to play on Saturday night. Second leading receiver Chase Roberts is expected to play too after missing the last two games due to injury, and that should give Hall and the passing game a boost.

Christopher Brooks is the top running back on the team with 294 yards (6.0 YPC) and four touchdowns, and the second leading rusher is Miles Davis. He has been a little more explosive than Brooks, averaging 7.0 YPC, but he was banged up in the Utah State game and had to come out. Davis is expected to come back into the lineup on Saturday too.

The Cougars are ranked 44^th in Defensive SP+. They have been strong against the pass, allowing 6.5 YPA, but they have had a surprisingly tough time stopping the run. That’s a scary thought heading into a game with Notre Dame, and to make matters worse, three of their defensive linemen might not be available due to injury. Needless to say, that’s a situation worth watching ahead of kickoff.

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH BETTING ANALYSIS

Marcus Freeman became the first head coach in Notre Dame history to lose his first three games with the team. Freeman has rallied the team to lead the Fighting Irish to two straight victories though, and this program is expected to make a bowl game this season.

The quarterback situation hasn’t been great with Drew Pyne and Tyler Buchner both showing some inconsistency, but Pyne has been the better option by completing almost 70% of his passes for six touchdowns and an interception. He had his best game of the season two weeks ago against North Carolina’s porous defense, and he is hoping to build off that performance.

Tight end Michael Mayer is a potential top ten pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he leads Notre Dame with 22 receptions for 233 yards and three TDs. Lorenzo Styles is the only other receiver that sees regular targets, as no one else has more than 90 receiving yards. Audric Estime and Chris Tyree essentially split carries in the backfield with Tyree being more of a receiving threat.

Notre Dame has yet to record an interception this season without Kyle Hamilton patrolling the field. The secondary hasn’t been too bad though, surrendering 6.9 YPA and 213.3 YPG, and the Fighting Irish have one of the top pass rushes in the country. They have recorded 13 sacks in four games, but Hall is not the type of QB that you want to rush without keeping contain.

BYU COUGARS vs. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH BETTING TRENDS

• BYU is 2-6 ATS last eight games.
• BYU is 9-2 SU last 11 games.
• BYU has gone OVER in six of seven games.
• Notre Dame is 9-3 ATS last 12 games.
• Notre Dame is 13-4 SU last 17 games.
• Notre Dame is 4-1 SU last five games when facing BYU.