Notre Dame football score predictions: Fighting Irish vs. Louisville national picks
Blue & Gold found game predictions for No. 15 Louisville (3-0) at No. 16 Notre Dame (3-1) from 23 pundits across eight different national media outlets. Thirteen of them are picking the Fighting Irish while 10 are riding with the Cardinals.
Here’s how the predictions shake out.
Joel Klatt (FOX Sports): Notre Dame 24, Louisville 20
Klatt: “I do trust Notre Dame’s defense in this one. Notre Dame, at home, against Jeff Brohm and Louisville, because of last year and the way that this game went against Louisville, I think you’re going to some of that extra motivation from some of those Notre Dame players.
“And they understand that their backs are against the wall. If they want a postseason berth, this is one of those games everybody is going to point back to. You want to make us forget about Northern Illinois? You got to handle Louisville.
“Now, having said that, I just don’t think this offense can run and hide from anywhere. And Jeff Brohm is a terrific play caller with a veteran quarterback in [Tyler] Shough. So while I think Notre Dame wins at home, I don’t think they cover the 6.5.”
Greg McElroy (ESPN): Fighting Irish
McElroy: “I’m taking the Irish in this game. I think they protect the home field in one of the few big matchups that they have this year. This has been a revenge game. I think it’s been a circled game that they’ve talked about all offseason. And I think they get that revenge on Saturday against the Cardinals.”
The Sporting News: Notre Dame 27, Louisville 24
Bill Bender: “The Cardinals beat the Irish 33-20 last season, and the difference was limiting the Irish’s rushing attack to 44 yards and stopping the Irish on third down. Riley Leonard presents a different challenge, but those third downs will be the difference-maker. Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough has eight TDs, zero interceptions and has taken just one sack. Can the Irish put together a consistent performance on offense? The Cardinals average 502.3 yards per game. The Irish are 3-1 S/U against ranked opponents at home under Marcus Freeman.”
Bleacher Report: Louisville 23, Notre Dame 19
David Kenyon: “Can the Notre Dame defense keep carrying the team? Transfer quarterback Riley Leonard has trudged to 5.7 yards per attempt and topped out 163 passing yards in his first four appearances with the Fighting Irish. The hosts are favored, but Louisville—which has given up a meager 2.5 yards per carry—is built to beat ND for a second straight year if Leonard isn’t more effective as a passer.”
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USA TODAY
Scooby Axson: Fighting Irish
Jordan Mendoza: Fighting Irish
Paul Myerberg: Fighting Irish
Erick Smith: Cardinals
Eddie Timanus: Cardinals
Dan Wolken: Cardinals
CBS Sports
Dennis Dodd: Cardinals
Tom Fornelli: Cardinals
Chip Patterson: Cardinals
Shehan Jeyarajah: Cardinals
David Cobb: Fighting Irish
Jerry Palm: Fighting Irish
Brandon Marcello: Fighting Irish
Richard Johnson: Fighting Irish
Athlon Sports
Steven Lassan: Notre Dame
Dan Lyons: Notre Dame
Thomas Neumann: Louisville
Pro Football Focus
Max Chadwick: Notre Dame 27, Louisville 23
Dalton Wasserman: Louisville 24, Notre Dame 20
