Notre Dame vs. Florida State preview, odds, prediction, TV channel, live stream
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be without Ian Book as they look to remain perfect in 2018, facing the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.
It’s not been without some close calls, but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter Week 11 of the 2018 season having still not lost a game. If they can win out, they should be a shoo-in for the College Football Playoff, which would be a tremendous step forward for the program that’s looked to get back over the hump for a while now. Unfortunately, their matchup with the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday evening presents a bit of an issue for the Irish.
Against the struggling Seminoles, the Irish will be without starting quarterback Ian Book. In his place, Brandon Wimbush will once again take over the starting duties under center. You’ll recall, it was Wimbush who Book ultimately usurped in the starting lineup earlier in the season as Wimbush and the offense as a whole struggled while he was leading the charge.
Thus, there is rightful concern for Brian Kelly’s team on Saturday. The last thing they can afford is a loss to a bad Florida State team, even without their starting quarterback on the field. However, the good news for the Irish is that they should still be able to have success in this game.
While the Notre Dame offense may not light up the scoreboard in this one, it’s hard to imagine FSU doing anything of the sort either. Despite having talented players like Cam Akers and Deondre Francois, the Seminoles offense has been a train-wreck for much of the season. Now, going up against one of the best defenses in the country on the road, the chances are that the switch won’t immediately be flipped.
As such, we could be in store for an ugly, grind-it-out type of battle in South Bend on Saturday evening.
Game Info
Date: Saturday, Nov. 10
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: South Bend, IN
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
TV Info: NBC
Live Stream: FuboTV, NBC Sports Live
Even with the Book injury in effect, the Irish are still favored by more than two touchdowns at home in this one, which serves as an unyielding indictment of Florida State at this point in the season. The oddsmakers clearly believe that the Seminoles won’t be able to do much against this stout Fighting Irish defense — or that Wimbush is about to come back and dominate.
Betting Odds (via Odds Shark)
Point Spread: Notre Dame -16.5
Moneyline: Notre Dame -800, Florida State +550
Over/Under: 49.5
Next. Best college football QB from every state. dark
Prediction
Book not being able to go on Saturday is going to be felt. We saw the Fighting Irish offense struggle when Wimbush was last at the helm, and more of the same should be expected in this Week 11 clash. Even still, the Notre Dame defense is talented enough to disrupt virtually everything that Florida State will look to do, meaning the Irish should still stay perfect in 2018.
Final Score: Florida State Seminoles 10, Notre Dame Fighting Irish 21