Notre Dame Football Opens 2017 Season as Just a 6-Point Favorite Over Temple

Well folks, with Notre Dame men’s basketball finished for the year, many fans will now move their attention to football (although hopefully not without lending some support to the women’s hoops team, who needs all the love it can get after losing Brianna Turner to an ACL tear).

So, as we all begin preparing hot takes for the coming fall and wild predictions based haphazardly on useless spring practice information, I present to you some of the initial Week 1 lines for the 2017 NCAA football season, with Notre Dame listed as 6-point favorites over Temple in the season opener.

The Irish are coming off a 4-8 season, have completely overhauled the coaching staff, and will be breaking in a new QB in Brandon Wimbush, but a home opener wherein ND is simply a touchdown favorite over TEMPLE is definitely surprising, if not insulting. Temple is coming off a 10-4 season, however, and it’s not like Brian Kelly’s program has earned any respect recently, so who knows?

Brad Powers, the guy who tweeted the lines above, thought the line was favorable in terms of betting, though, and bet big on Notre Dame for Week 1:

Judge Accepts Max Redfield Plea Agreement

Former Notre Dame starting safety Max Redfield received an update on his legal proceedings following his August arrest for marijuana possession and possession of a handgun without a license, as the judge has officially accepted the plea agreement.

Redfield will not have to serve any jail time, and instead will serve one year of probation, and is required to submit a standard substance abuse evaluation. Redfield checked himself into a rehab program in California back in January.

The article in the above link features a video of an interview with Redfield, speaking publicly for the first time since his arrest:

Redfield’s comments on where he is going from here certainly speak to a young man who realizes he messed up and intends on moving forward, but for now it’s still uncertain exactly where he will be going next.

"The two classes I'm taking right now will finish my Bachelor's degree and will give me the opportunity to be a graduate transfer," Redfield said. "But if Notre Dame doesn't honor that, honor my degree, I can't be a graduate transfer so I can't even compete for scholarship programs this next season. It's a sticky situation and I'm waiting on Notre Dame to see what they do."

Other Former Notre Dame Football Guys

In other news involving former Notre Dame football names, former special teams coach Scott Booker looks to be the next former Irish coach to join Mike Riley’s staff at Nebraska. Booker joins Bob Diaco, who was hired this offseason as defensive coordinator, and Bob Elliott, who Diaco brought in to coach safeties. Booker will be a special teams analyst.

Meanwhile, NDInsider published a story catching up with Torii Hunter Jr., who after retiring from football following his senior season is now playing spring training baseball in the Angels organization in Arizona.

Hunter talks about his concussion issues last season and how he won’t miss the injuries, but will definitely miss the atmosphere and camaraderie of football. He then talks more about his life in baseball after a lot of time away from the sport, and how he’s adjusting from his ND life.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame Fencers Out Here Winning All the Awards

In other news, the Notre Dame fencing program is just stacking postseason awards this week. Fighting Irish winners include:

• Men’s Fencer of the Year for Épée: Ariel Simmons
• Men’s Fencer of the Year for Foil: Axel Kiefer
• Women’s Fencer of the Year for Foil: Lee Kiefer
• Women’s Fencer of the Year for Sabre: Francesca Russo
• Women’s Coach of the Year: Gia Kvaratskhelia, Notre Dame

So if you’re starting to get sad about 4-8, losing to West Virginia, heartbreaking injuries, etc., remember that there are still some ND teams absolutely crushing the competition out there.

Bonus: What’s Going on With LaVar Ball This Week?

Did you really think I’d finish this article without telling you about LaVar Ball claiming his sons have a better chance in the NBA than LeBron James’ sons due to James’ towering legacy?

Not only is this just ridiculous, but I agree with LeBron in that one dad shouldn’t come at another dad about his sons in a competitive fashion, especially when the two families have no prior relationship or history.

It might have been worth it, though, to see LeBron’s angry poppa bear dad response:

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everybody!