Betting Lines: Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Florida State Seminoles

WE ARE SO BACK

It is time. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish play a football game this coming weekend in a full stadium. ALL ABOARD THE DAMN HYPE TRAIN. We are going to be rocking and rolling as we all prepare to watch the Irish play the Florida State Seminoles in a football game in Tallahassee, FL.

As all of the preparations get set and we all watch to avenge that ridiculous ending of the game the last time the Irish played in Tallahassee, we are all hoping the Irish get that W. As it encompasses sports and especially college football, many people want to see what the betting lines are and how they become a part of the narrative of the game. Let’s take a look at what we have for the opening game of the 2021 season.

ND vs. FSU Betting Lines

We take a look first and foremost at the point spread. As I am typing this out, the Irish are holding to a 7.5-point favorite. For those of you who want to see how that looks on betting slips and on the ESPN ticker this week/weekend that will show ND -7.5 @ FSU. When the line was first introduced in the summer, the point spread was hovering around 9.5 and 10 points. It has since dropped to 7.5 and has been holding pretty steady at that number for the last couple of weeks or so. Vegas is looking for bettors to figure out if the Irish would win by a possession or more or if FSU can keep the score within 7 points or fewer.

Additionally, the point total (or Over/Under as we hear it called) is set at an even 55 points right now. That is a fair amount of points, but not a ton when compared to college football games in general and especially some of the point totals we saw last year with Notre Dame games. Last season, the Irish only gave up 30+ points in 4 games, and 2 of those were the last 2 games of the season in the ACC Championship and in the Rose Bowl CFP Semifinal. On the other hand, the Seminoles gave up an average of 39.33 (repeating of course) points per their 9 games last season.

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Matty G’s Predictions

If I were to place some wagers on these game lines (too much bad juju to do that, though - I am after all, a little stitious), I could see some pretty clear outcomes and decisions. I believe that the Irish will cover that 7.5-point spread. I don’t really know how the game will shake out with it being the first game with some new people playing and coaching. However, with the unknown of FSU’s entire QB situation, their struggling defense, and the Irish’s overall talent, I can see the Irish going into Tallahassee to win by 8, and probably even 10 or more points.

With their first game fully back this season, a raucous crowd with the war chant, and honoring Bobby Bowden, I could see the crowd being a factor keeping the game closer than we probably think. But, that also happened last season in Notre Dame Stadium. FSU actually took the lead for a hot second in the first half, but that quickly diminished. I could see something similar happening this season as well.

Also, I think the point total will go over. I always like to think of the point total in what a potential score could be. With 55 points, that is a 35-20 game. Something like that could happen where the Seminoles get some momentum to score early on, but the Irish become too much for them. 38-21 seems like it could be the score here especially as the first game goes and there is a lot of excitement. Plus, there are some weak points in the FSU defense.

According to Oddsshark, the Irish are 4-2 against the spread in the last 6 games, while FSU are 3-9 in their last 12 games against the spread. Also, the Irish and Seminoles have had their point totals go over in the last 6 games that they have played against each other. Because of some of these trends and a few gut feelings, I am predicting the Irish to cover the spread and the OVER to hit.

Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images

DAMHSA BUA COUNT

As I had last season in these articles, I had an OVER/UNDER prediction on the total number of DAMHSA BUAs that will be played (or would be played if the ND Band were to be present). That means I always predicted the amount of Notre Dame touchdowns were to be scored for the upcoming game. I think the Irish will score some points in this game, but there could be some reserve shown in the first game of the season on the road. So, I am putting the DAMHSA BUA total count at 4.5, and I think that will go OVER with 5+ TDs. But, what do you think? Let us know in the poll below and also comment on the point spread and point total in the comments below.

Go Irish. Beat Seminoles.