Alabama vs. Notre Dame odds, predictions, betting trends for College Football Playoff semifinal
No. one Alabama meets No. 4 Notre Dame in the College or university Soccer Playoff semifinal on Jan. one.
The game was relocated from the Rose Bowl to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on ESPN.
Alabama (eleven-) is building its sixth CFP overall look and is wanting for a sixth national championship less than coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide rated second in the FBS with forty nine.7 factors per game with an offense that characteristics quarterback Mac Jones, jogging back again Najee Harris and receiver DeVonta Smith.
Notre Dame (10-one) is back again in the playoff for the second time in three seasons under coach Brian Kelly after an amazing a single-12 months tour of the ACC, but the Combating Irish enter the matchup with the same-old big-game concerns following a 34-10 reduction to Clemson in the ACC championship game. Quarterback Ian Book is thirty-4 as a starter.
This is every thing to know about betting on Alabama vs. Notre Dame, such as current odds, trends and our prediction for the CFP semifinal.
Alabama vs. Notre Dame betting odds
- Distribute: Alabama –19.5
- Over/less than: 65.5
- Moneyline: Alabama –110, Notre Dame –110
The Crimson Tide opened as seventeen.5-stage favorites, and that line has jumped up two factors. It’s the greatest semifinal unfold in the historical past of the College or university Soccer Playoff.
Alabama vs. Notre Dame all-time series
The Irish lead the all-time collection 5-2, and that consists of victories in the 1973 Sugar Bowl and the 1975 Orange Bowl. The Crimson Tide won the past assembly 42-fourteen in the BCS championship game on Jan. 7, 2013.
A few trends to know
— The Crimson Tide is 4-one S/U in CFP semifinals, and Alabama is 3-2 ATS in all those game titles. The Crimson Tide is one-one ATS as a double-digit preferred in all those game titles.
— The Irish are 5-6 ATS this season. Notre Dame is twelve-10-one ATS in neutral-website game titles less than Brian Kelly considering the fact that 2010.
— The Crimson Tide is eight-3 ATS this season, and that consists of a 2-one ATS mark when the unfold is fewer than 20 factors.
A few points to watch
— Notre Dame’s offensive line. In that BCS championship reduction in 2013, the Irish had been manhandled up front. Notre Dame’s offensive line characteristics All-American candidates in Liam Eichenberg, Aaron Banking institutions, Robert Hainsey and Tommy Kraemer. It’s an skilled group that has to give Ian Book time to do the job versus a talented Alabama defense that improved in the second fifty percent of the season. That claimed, Texas A&M, Ole Overlook and Florida combined to regular 374 passing yards versus Alabama. Book can have achievements with targets in Michael Mayer, Avery Davis and Ben Skowronek, but he requires to be more decisive in the pocket. That could open up the jogging game for Kyren Williams, who averages 122.one hurrying yards per game.
— Alabama’s jogging game. The Irish authorized just 3.7 yards per carry, and the defense, led by Butkus Award winner Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, is reliable. The Crimson Tide will exam that with a hurrying assault that averages 5. yards per carry. Najee Harris rushed for 24 TDs and averaged 5.nine yards per carry. If Harris is breaking free early, then Notre Dame will be in trouble.
— The 1st quarter. With a unfold that significant, in some cases it genuinely is that easy. Alabama outscored opponents 132-37 in the 1st quarter this season, and it has outscored opponents fifty two-13 in all those five former semifinals. A quick direct would make it possible for offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to do what he needs. What will Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea to do disrupt that with his back again 7?
Stat that matters
202.3
Mac Jones potential customers the FBS with that passer score, which is bigger than the 202.0 passer rating LSU’s Joe Burrow put up last season. DeVonta Smith and John Metchie are huge complications for a Notre Dame secondary that had two interceptions this season, and Jones has played his most effective in big game titles. Smith poses the most important problem for the Irish’s defense.
Prediction
The traces on each sides will tell you suitable absent irrespective of whether the Irish stand a possibility in nevertheless an additional big-game prospect. Alabama’s offense is clicking at an all-time stage, and Jones need to be capable to settle in with the perimeter targets early. The Crimson Tide strike two prolonged TDs in the second quarter to establish a two-rating lead by halftime. Notre Dame threatens to make it a game in the third quarter when Book responds, but Alabama turns to Harris in closing time. That puts Saban within just arrive at of a seventh national championship — which would split famous coach Bear Bryant’s document.
Ultimate rating: Alabama 42, Notre Dame 23
