Miami vs. Notre Dame Prediction: College Football Picks, Props and Best Bets (Nov. 7)

Miami vs Notre Dame Picks in Summary

• Notre Dame -7.5 (-110)
• Darian Mensah Under 223.5 Passing Yards (-114)

One of the biggest games of the college football season takes place tonight when No. 1 Miami travels to South Bend to face No. 4 Notre Dame.

The Hurricanes enter this top-five showdown undefeated, but the Fighting Irish are favored at home in a matchup with major College Football Playoff implications.

With two of the nation's most talented teams squaring off, Saturday’s contest presents some intriguing betting opportunities. Let's break down two of the best Miami vs. Notre Dame bets.

All college football odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Notre Dame vs Miami Picks and Prediction

Notre Dame -7.5 (-110)

Miami enters Saturday's showdown with a perfect 8-0 record, but the Hurricanes will face arguably their toughest test yet against a loaded Notre Dame defense.

The Fighting Irish have been outstanding defensively, allowing just 13.4 points and 236.1 total yards per game. Notre Dame ranks first nationally in total defense, sixth in passing defense (150.8 yards per game), and seventh in rushing defense (85.4 yards per game).

That defensive dominance could prove crucial against a Miami offense averaging a nation-leading 47.6 points per contest. The Hurricanes have been particularly explosive through the air, averaging 332.4 passing yards per game, but they haven't encountered many defenses as talented as Notre Dame's.

The Fighting Irish also have the offensive firepower to take advantage of Miami's defensive weaknesses. Notre Dame is averaging 40.4 points per game while the Hurricanes rank 121st nationally in passing yards allowed per game (251.9).

Miami has also looked somewhat vulnerable recently, needing double overtime to beat Florida State before escaping North Carolina with a 38-35 victory last weekend.

With Notre Dame possessing an elite defense, a productive offense, and home-field advantage, I like the Fighting Irish to hand Miami its first loss of the season and cover the 7.5-point spread.

Darian Mensah Under 223.5 Passing Yards (-114)

Darian Mensah has been outstanding for Miami this season, throwing for 2,425 yards and 25 touchdowns through eight games while completing 80.7% of his passes. However, Saturday's matchup with Notre Dame represents his toughest test yet — especially with star WR Malachi Toney looking unlikely to play.

The Fighting Irish have one of the nation's best defenses, surrendering just 150.8 passing yards per game, the sixth-fewest in the FBS. Notre Dame is also allowing only 6.2 yards per pass attempt and 4.3 yards per play, making it difficult for opponents to generate explosive gains.

Although Mensah is averaging 303.1 passing yards per contest, Notre Dame's ability to limit big plays could force Miami into a more conservative offensive approach, and Toney’s absence removes the Miami’s best big-play weapon.

The Hurricanes have a strong rushing attack, one that averages 202.5 yards per game, so they may opt to lean on the run in tough road environment.

With Toney out and Notre Dame's defense capable of keeping Mensah's passing efficiency in check, the under is worth considering.

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College Football Betting FAQ

What are the most common college football bets?

The most common college football bets are the point spread, moneyline, and game total. Bettors can also wager on player props, team totals, alternate spreads, and futures such as conference champions or the national championship winner.

How does the point spread work in college football betting?

The point spread gives one team a handicap to create a more even betting market. If a team is listed at -7.5, it must win by at least eight points for a spread bet on that team to cash. A team listed at +7.5 can lose by seven points or fewer — or win outright — and still cover the spread.

What does over/under mean in college football?

An over/under, also called a game total, is a wager on the combined number of points scored by both teams. Bettors can choose whether the final score will finish over or under the sportsbook's posted total.

What should you consider before betting on college football?

Matchups, quarterback play, offensive and defensive efficiency, injuries, pace, home-field advantage, and coaching tendencies can all be important.

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Looking for the latest college football odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the college football betting options. You can also check out our How to Bet on College Football guide.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.