Fifth-ranked Notre Dame (6-1) aims to strengthen its College Football Playoff case against the Navy Midshipmen (2-5, 1-4 American) in a Week 9 matchup at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on Saturday.
Betting Odds and Model Projections
The Fighting Irish enter as 30.5-point favorites, the largest spread of the week, with an over/under set at 56.5 points. Both teams have seen the over hit in five of seven games this season. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each FBS game 10,000 times, projects the under 56.5 points as the value side, hitting in 67% of simulations. The model forecasts approximately 50 combined points.
Key Statistical Matchups
Notre Dame's defense ranks tied for fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 13.4 points per game. The Irish also rank third in rushing defense, surrendering only 67 yards per game on the ground. Navy's offense, built around a rushing attack that averages 308 yards per game (third nationally), ranks seventh in the American Athletic Conference in scoring offense at 29.7 points per game.
Model Performance
Entering Week 9, the SportsLine model carries a 68-59 record on top-rated college football picks, returning nearly $400 for $100 players. The model also indicates one side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations, though the specific side is available only through SportsLine.
