Early odds, points spreads released for three Notre Dame football games

Marcus Freeman’s first season as the head coach at Notre Dame had several ups and downs. A lot of this was due to injuries at the quarterback position as Freeman learned how to be a head coach. At a place like Notre Dame, though, the expectations are going to be high in his second season.

Now, FanDuel has released opening lines for Notre Dame against three opponents next season. First, the odds are out for Notre Dame against historic rival Navy. That game will be played in Dublin during Week 0. On top of that, early lines are out for Notre Dame’s games against USC and Ohio State.

Here are those opening betting lines:

• -17 vs. Navy
• +7.5 vs. Ohio State
• +1 vs. USC

Notre Dame is going to open as a three-score favorite against Navy. The Midshipmen moved on from head coach Ken Niumatalolo. So, there are going to be some question marks regarding what Navy looks like next season. At the same time, Notre Dame should never lose to Navy simply because of the talent differential.

The Irish lost to both Ohio State and USC in 2022, though both of those games were on the road and relatively close. So, there is reason to hope that if Notre Dame improves, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, then the Irish easily could pull off the upset.

Also, these are betting lines being put out before any Spring or Summer practices have taken place. The transfer portal is going to open up again as well. So, plenty of things can change before Week 0 against Navy. Even more can change from the time the season starts to win the Irish kick-off against Ohio State and USC.

Gerad Parker on becoming Notre Dame’s next offensive coordinator

Tommy Rees left Notre Dame to become the offensive coordinator at Alabama. So, Notre Dame embarked on a long and frustrating process to replace him that ended with tight ends coach Gerad Parker being promoted to offensive coordinator.

“If my job were to maybe help with how we are going to construct certain interviews, then I want to provide help that way. Then, when my mind would drift late at night when I was wondering, I put notes in my phone. And I’m sure he knew that, if he knows me at all. I would constantly have things that I would put in, and if those things were just things that I kept in my phone for next year or the year after or the year after, so be it,” Parker said.

“But my phone’s decorated with those. And when you put those in, you always stay prepared because what a sin it would’ve been if Marcus Freeman calls my number to do an interview and I’m not ready. That’s how I feel, that’s how I felt about it and what a shame had I not been ready for this opportunity.”