Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Boston College Eagles Odds & Game Pick (2020)
In a 2020 college football season that has been plagued with a litany of missed games and ruled out players due to COVID-19, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish certainly aren’t complaining. The long-discussed push to get them into a Power 5 conference happened this season, as the team joined the ACC, and so far exceeded all expectations culminated with a double-overtime win over top-ranked Clemson last week. Albeit without Heisman favorite Trevor Lawrence.
In what will be their seventh game and sixth in the conference this season, the Fighting Irish head to Chestnut Hill this week to take on a Boston College team in search of a big win of their own.
Will this be a classic letdown spot for the emotionally high Fighting Irish? Let’s take a closer look.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
FanDuel Sportsbook: View our review and access special sports betting offers >>
Details
- Opening Lines: Boston College +13; O/U 49.5
- Current Line: Boston College +13.5
- O/U: 49.5
- Location: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA
- Start Time: 3:30 pm ET
- Television: ABC
- Last Meeting: November 23, 2019 – Boston College 7, Notre Dame 40
Overview
After taking a 23-13 lead into the half last week, the Fighting Irish opened up the second allowing 10 points in the third and looked poised to give away a golden opportunity to take hold of the ACC. Senior quarterback Ian Book, however, was not to be deterred, finishing the game with 310 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions in one of the biggest wins of his career.
While Book has been solid, the defense is once again carrying this Notre Dame team, as they’re allowing just 296 yards per game through their first seven. Before the Clemson game, they had allowed just 7.3 points per game over their prior three.
For Boston College, inconsistency has once again been the story for second-year head coach Jeff Hafley. Through eight games, the Eagles have amassed a record of 5-3, with their three losses coming against ranked teams in UNC, Virginia Tech, and Clemson. In the loss to Clemson, which was their first game without Trevor Lawrence in the lineup, the Eagles took a 28-13 lead into the half but couldn’t contain the 1-2 running punch of DJ Ulagelelei and Travis Etienne.
Outside of a 14-40 loss on the road in Blacksburg in week five, this Eagles team has remained competitive in each of their losses and is a combined 10 points from being 7-1. As transfer (from Notre Dame) quarterback Phil Jurkovec continues to improve each week, look for this Eagles team to continue to pick up wins in their two remaining games past Notre Dame.
- The Under is 8-1 in these two teams last nine games
- The Eagles are 5-0 ATS in their last five in the role of a home underdog
- The Under is 7-3 in Notre Dame’s last 10 road games
Bottom Line
While I would hold off until right before kickoff to see if you can grab a +14, I’m taking the +13.5 that’s currently available for BC to cover this one. Jurkovec knows this Fighting Irish coaching staff well, as he was a back up to Book for two seasons before transferring to Boston College for this one.
Not only do I expect him to help his new coaching staff prepare, but for him to come into this one with an added chip on his shoulder against his former teammates.
Pick: Boston College +13.5
FanDuel Sportsbook: View our review and access special sports betting offers >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including Common Sports Betting Terms — or head to more advanced strategy — like 10 Tips to Become a Sharper Sports Bettor — to learn more.
TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.