Notre Dame vs. Texas Prediction and Odds for College World Series (Irish Face Tough Matchup vs. Dominant Longhorns)

It has to be said; puns and all. Should bettors once again bet on the luck of the Irish?

So far, Notre Dame have been both lucky and good; knocking out the No. 1 team in the country in Tennessee in the super regional in Game 1 and Game 3 to move onto Omaha.

While the Irish showed their poise and perseverance in slaying the giant in the super regional, they'll have to stay sharp for another worthy adversary in the No. 9 ranked Texas Longhorns.

Texas is the current co-favorite to win the CWS along with No. 2 Stanford at +450 consensus odds, and come in with one of the best hitter-pitcher combinations in college baseball this season in Ivan Melendez at the dish, and left-hander Pete Hansen on the mound.

Here are the latest consensus odds for Friday's nightcap at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.

Get the latest Power Rankings for this year's College World Series based off each team's Vegas odds to win it all!

Notre Dame vs. Texas Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Notre Dame +1.5 (-180)
• Texas -1.5 (+146)

Moneyline:

• Notre Dame +112
• Texas -138

Total:

• 9.5 (OVER +104, UNDER -128)

Notre Dame vs. Texas Prediction and Pick

Longtime ESPN College Baseball analyst Kyle Peterson described the top-ranked Volunteers as, "One of the best teams to never win a national championship." Notre Dame knocked them out in two of three games, so there needs to be a fair amount of respect put on their name.

Left-hander John Michael Bertrand (9-3, 2.67 ERA) is on the bump for Notre Dame, and while he's been sensational this season, he'll face a Longhorns lineup that's obliterated left-handed pitching this year. He'll especially have to pitch carefully to first baseman and Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year Ivan Melendez. The "Hispanic Titanic" owns an unreal 1.404 OPS this season, and led the way with 32 home runs; passing Kris Bryant's record of 31 back in 2013.

Meanwhile, the Longhorns throw their stud left-hander Pete Hansen (11-2, 3.40 ERA) on the bump. Hansen showcased exceptional control; walking just 19 batters in 103 innings pitched, and increased his K/BB ratio sizably, but he also struggled with the long ball, giving up 15 home runs compared to just three the year before.

While Hansen has had his struggles over his last two games, he's David Pierce's number one option for a reason. I expect a bounce-back against Notre Dame Friday night, as he gets some early support from his superb lineup.

LEAN: Texas ML -138

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