The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Duke Blue Devils meet Sunday in college football action from Wallace Wade Stadium. Notre Dame just finished up a matchup versus Ohio State. In that one the Irish lost a tough one by three points. As for Duke, they’re coming off a game against UConn over the weekend. The Blue Devils would go on to take a blowout victory. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Irish have five games in the bag so far this year. First came a 42-3 blowout victory over Navy in the opener, then another blowout 56-3 over Tennessee State. Notre Dame won their first road game of the year 45-24 versus NC State, and the next weekend beat Central Michigan 41-17 back at home. QB Sam Hartman posted 330 yards with three scores to aid the cause. 

On Saturday versus Ohio State, Notre Dame failed to score in the first half. The Irish managed to keep pace from there but ended up losing a tough one 17-14. Hartman had 175 yards with a touchdown in the defeat, and Mitchell Evans led the receivers on 75 yards off seven catches. Audric Estime had 70 rush yards from 14 carries as well. 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Facts

Notre Dame has won each of its last 12 road games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Notre Dame has covered the spread in each of its last nine games as a favorite against AP-ranked teams.
Notre Dame has won the first half in each of its last 10 games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Notre Dame has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Eight of Notre Dame’s last nine games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.

Duke Blue Devils 

Over on the Blue Devils’ side, they opened the year up with a nice win over Clemson 28-7. Duke had no issues with Lafayette in game two, cruising to a 42-7 blowout victory. Likewise for the Northwestern matchup, which turned into a 38-14 win. Duke quarterback Riley Leonard threw for 219 yards and ran for 97 yards with two scores in the win over the Wildcats. 

Matched up against UConn last weekend, the Blue Devils were up 41-0 after three quarters and waltzed to a 41-7 victory in the end. Leonard put up 248 yards with a score and also led the rush with 30 yards and another TD. Jordan Moore added 86 yards with a touchdown off eight catches. 

Duke Blue Devils Team Facts

Duke has won each of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Duke has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games.
Duke has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Duke has won the first half in 27 of its last 29 games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Each of Duke’s last 11 games against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Duke ranked T3rd among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.769).
Duke ranked 4th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (10.2).
Notre Dame ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (3.5).
Notre Dame ranked T12th among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.692).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to take a stab on Notre Dame. This should be a great matchup overall however, especially if both teams play to their capabilities. The Irish posted 351 total yards (175 passing) and 22 first downs against a very good Ohio State team last weekend, taking great care of the ball with 34:59 in time of possession, four penalties (50 yards) and zero turnovers. The Irish weren’t able to generate any takeaways on the other side though, and gave up 10-of-17 on third-down tries to the Buckeyes. 

As for Duke, this will be their first big test of the year; the Blue Devils have dispatched all comers so far, scoring 28 or more points in each game. This one’s probably going to be a lower-scoring affair though, and I like the Irish to power out a cover in an entertaining game. It’ll be a fun one to watch regardless.