Army vs. Notre Dame: Picks, Predictions and Odds

The stakes are high at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night as the No. 19 Army Black Knights (9-0) clash with the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-1).

Both teams boast dominant rushing attacks, but the game will hinge on which defense can best handle the opposing offensive style.

Notre Dame is a 14.5-point favorite in this historic matchup and the total is set at 44.5 points.

With potential College Football Playoff implications on the line, bettors are eyeing how Notre Dame’s size and experience stack up against Army’s relentless triple-option offense.

Army vs. Notre Dame betting picks and predictions

Notre Dame -14.5 (-110)

Notre Dame’s defense has already proven its worth against a triple-option attack this season, dismantling Navy 51-14 in late October.

Army poses a tougher challenge than the Midshipmen, but the Fighting Irish’s front seven, led by head coach Marcus Freeman’s disciplined approach, is tailor-made to stifle the triple-option.

Notre Dame’s defensive efficiency metrics are elite: they rank first in early downs estimated points added (EPA) and fourth in points per drive allowed. Against a one-dimensional Army offense, this matchup strongly favors the Irish.

Quarterback Bryson Daily powers Army’s offense, leading the team with 1,062 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, but he has attempted only 51 passes all season.

This lack of balance will allow Notre Dame to stack the box and force the Black Knights into uncomfortable situations on third downs.

Daily is a dangerous runner, but Notre Dame’s defense has experience containing mobile quarterbacks. When Navy’s Blake Horvath rushed for 129 yards against the Fighting Irish, it ultimately didn’t matter as Notre Dame forced six turnovers and capitalized on every mistake.

Offensively, Notre Dame’s ground game is built to wear down a defense like Army’s. Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, along with quarterback Riley Leonard, provide a three-headed rushing attack that has shredded opponents over the past month.

Army’s run defense ranks 82nd nationally in success rate allowed and they have yet to face a backfield as talented or physical as Notre Dame’s.

The biggest question mark for Army is its strength of schedule. While the Black Knights’ 9-0 record is impressive, it has been built against a slate of largely inferior competition.

Their lone win against a team over .500 came against East Carolina. Even their recent victories over Air Force and North Texas were low-scoring affairs, with Army managing just 20 and 14 points, respectively.

The Black Knights’ disciplined and efficient style keeps games close against lesser opponents, but Notre Dame’s talent, depth and experience along the line of scrimmage present an entirely different challenge.

Notre Dame has won five straight games by 18 or more points, including three by 37 or more.

If the Irish stick to a conservative offensive game plan, they should control the clock and cruise to a comfortable double-digit win. A 31-14 or 35-14 outcome feels likely, making Notre Dame -14.5 the play.

Over 44.5 Total Points (-110)

While both teams are run-first offenses, there’s reason to believe this game can surpass the modest 44.5-point total.

Army’s triple-option attack is designed to methodically move the ball and Daily has been the nation’s most productive rushing quarterback this season.

His ability to extend drives and reach the end zone gives Army the potential to score two or three touchdowns, even against a stout Notre Dame defense.

Notre Dame’s offense has been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks, averaging over 34 points per game during its five-game winning streak.

Riley Leonard has been efficient as both a passer and a runner and his ability to avoid turnovers bodes well against an Army defense that could sell out to try and create chaos.

Leonard’s dual-threat capabilities, paired with the physicality of Notre Dame’s offensive line, should allow the Irish to sustain long drives and put points on the board consistently.

Army’s defense, while solid statistically, hasn’t faced anything close to Notre Dame’s level of offensive talent. The Black Knights rank eighth in points per drive allowed, but much of that success is attributed to playing a weak schedule.

Against East Carolina, Army allowed 28 points and struggled to contain a much less potent rushing attack than Notre Dame’s.

Already this season, Notre Dame has proven it can score efficiently against service academies. Their 51-14 dismantling of Navy saw the Fighting Irish rack up 265 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Expect a similar ground-heavy approach against Army, with the Fighting Irish scoring in the 30s for the seventh consecutive game.

On the flip side, Army’s ability to run the ball and control time of possession means they should have opportunities to chip away at Notre Dame’s defense.

Daily’s rushing prowess and the explosiveness of tailback Kanye Udoh (856 yards, 9 TDs) give the Black Knights the tools to at least threaten the end zone a couple of times.

Read more betting picks and predictions for College Football on site.

Army vs. Notre Dame odds

Army	+500 ML
Notre Dame	-700 ML
Spread	Notre Dame -14.5
Total Points	O/U 44.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.