USF vs Notre Dame: Betting odds, TV channel, live stream, prediction

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were tested in their season opener yet still came out on top, but expect a more convincing win this Saturday at they play USF.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish accomplished something they have never done before in the program’s history last Saturday: win a conference game. Notre Dame hosted the Duke Blue Devils in their first-ever ACC game and was victorious. The Blue Devils played the Irish tough and hung around for the first three quarters, but a 10-0 fourth quarter extended the Irish lead closed out their first-ever conference win in as many tries.

On offense, Notre Dame had a balanced attack, as quarterback Ian Book started off his Heisman Campaign with 263 passing yards and one touchdown. But it was the Irish run game that dominated the Blue Devils all game long. Led by Kyren Williams, (19 carries, 112 yards, and two touchdowns) the Irish ran for 178 yards, averaging just over four yards a carry. Book’s start probably wasn’t the one he had hoped for, but was not terrible, and will only get better from here. So if Book can perform at the level he has before, and the run game of the Irish is going to be this good, they might just win their first ACC title.

But they will need some adjustments on the defensive side of the ball. The Irish allowed 332 yards, with 259 yards coming through the air. Duke’s quarterback, Chase Brice, a transfer from the Clemson Tigers, is a solid quarterback and had he had more help, might have pulled off the upset. The Irish are going to play better quarterbacks in Sam Howell of North Carolina and Trevor Lawrence of Clemson and will need their secondary to improve before those showdowns.

But that is exactly what they can use the USF Bulls for. The Bulls also started off the season 1-0 with a 27-6 win over The Citadel. Notre Dame’s lone non-conference game comes at a perfect time. to iron out their Week One mistakes and struggles, as they prepare for a run at the ACC title.

Here’s how to watch and bet on the USF vs Notre Dame game:

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
• Start Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
• Location: South Bend, Indiana
• Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
• TV Info: USA
• Odds: Notre Dame -24.5, O/U 52.5
• Live Stream: CBS Sports App

Prediction: It will be an all-around dominant performance by the Fighting Irish in this one. Book has a stellar game, scoring multiples times through the air but the story of the game will be the emergence of Williams. Williams will flirt with the 200-yard mark and have another multi-touchdown game. Notre Dame’s defense holds the line and keeps the Bulls out of the endzone for most of the game, but find the endzone themselves on their way to a convincing victory.

Score: Notre Dame 52, USF 17.