Despite two season-opening losses, #16 Notre Dame’s playoff hopes are still intact. However, if the Fighting Irish want to reach the postseason, they can’t afford any more slip-ups.
That makes Saturday’s matchup with North Carolina State a potential trap game. The Wolfpack, 4-2, are a flawed team. Still, Dave Doeren’s group is more than capable of putting points on the board. Do they have what it takes to earn an upset in South Bend?
Below is my prediction and pick for College Football Week 7’s game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame enters this contest as 23.5-point favorites (-112) over NC State, with the over/under set at 59.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
North Carolina State vs. Notre Dame prediction, preview
Notre Dame’s defense has been maligned for most of the season, and rightfully so. The Irish have allowed 23.6 points per game to opponents, a far cry from what we’ve come to expect from this program. That’s what made last week’s 28-7 victory over Boise State so important. The Broncos only gained 315 yards of offense, struggling to move the ball all afternoon.
Is Notre Dame’s once-dominant defense back? It’s too early to tell. However, it’s no coincidence that this unit looked solid with Leonard Moore healthy. After missing two straight games with an ankle sprain, the All-American cornerback recorded two interceptions vs. Boise State. With that being said, NC State should present more of a challenge. The Wolfpack are averaging 33.5 points per game, 45th-best in the nation.
NC State is led by its quarterback, CJ Bailey. The sophomore has thrown for 1,660 yards and 13 touchdowns on stellar 74.6% completion percentage. However, he’s been somewhat neutralized on the ground (2.0 YPC). Fortunately, running back Daylan Smothers has picked up the slack. Through six games, he’s gained an ACC-leading 693 rushing yards to go with six touchdowns.
The Irish clearly have their work cut out on defense. However, the same is true for NC State. This is arguably the best Notre Dame offense in decades, led by running back Jeremiyah Love. The future first-round pick has churned out 604 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. He’s joined by freshman quarterback CJ Carr. Through five games, the youngster has thrown for 1,280 yards and 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Together, the pair have formed one of the nation’s most formidable duos.
For the Wolfpack, stopping anyone has been a struggle so far. Their defense has allowed 375.0 yards per game to opponents, the ACC’s fifth-worst mark. NC State has been especially bad at defending the run, allowing 4.9 yards per rush attempt. Against a superstar such as Love, that could spell disaster.
North Carolina State vs. Notre Dame pick, best bet
The headliner in this matchup is a showdown between two of the nation’s most prolific running backs. Smothers may not have the hype of his Irish counterpart, but he’s also a certified game-wrecker. If the Wolfpack are able to keep Notre Dame’s offense sidelined, they should manage to cover on Saturday.
