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Texas vs Notre Dame preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Josh Criswell

Nov 8, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish mascot Leprechaun waves the team flag on the field against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Arizona State defeated Notre Dame 55-31. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish mascot Leprechaun waves the team flag on the field against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Arizona State defeated Notre Dame 55-31. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas Longhorns vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Texas Longhorns head to Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday for a matchup with the No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Junior Malik Zaire is embarking on his first full season as the starting quarterback for Notre Dame. For Texas, junior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes and senior running back Johnathan Gray are looking to bounce back from a rocky finish to their 2014 campaigns and lead the Longhorns to an upset.

Details for Saturday’s game are below:

Date: Saturday, September 5th
Start Time: 7:30 ET
Location: South Bend, Ind.
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
TV Info: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Radio: Notre Dame – 960 WSBT-AM (South Bend), Texas – KTXX-FM 104.9 (Austin), National – SiriusXM Channel 129
Ticket information: For Notre Dame ticket info click here. For Texas ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

Notre Dame:

Notre Dame will need their defense to be better than it was last season if they want to ensure a victory on Saturday. The unit was a liability last year, and although they return 10 starters, the Longhorns have several big-play threats on offense that will test them all game long. Exceptional quarterback play from Malik Zaire will be crucial as well. Zaire is a dynamic player, but his experience is limited, despite lofty expectations. He will need to perform like a seasoned veteran for the Fighting Irish to win comfortably.

Texas:

The strength of the Texas Longhorns in 2014 was without a doubt their defense. They lost six starters this offseason, however, and will need the new faces on defense to step up in a big way. If they can put pressure on Malik Zaire and force him to make mistakes, the Longhorns can pull off the upset. But if Tyrone Swoopes begins to commit turnovers, as he has been known to do, they are going to be in big trouble. The junior quarterback must protect the football and receive solid protection from his offensive line if Texas is going to win.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Notre Dame -9.5

Money Line: Texas +320

O/U: 50

Prediction

This matchup has the potential to be the most exciting game of the college football opening weekend. Texas has several playmakers on offense, but they are also prone to make mistakes. Against a veteran Notre Dame defense, this could be a major problem.

Malik Zaire could blow this game open if he puts his dual-threat abilities on display against an inexperienced Longhorn defense, but Texas has too many weapons on offense for a blowout to be a likely scenario.

Ultimately, 19 returning starters for the Fighting Irish will make the difference in a thrilling matchup. Notre Dame wins in a close game that could come down to the last play.

Final Score: Notre Dame 31, Texas 27

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