Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 9/16/23 – As the college football season heats up, the Central Michigan Chippewas take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in what promises to be an exciting Week 3 matchup. Starting for the Chippewas will be Bert Emanuel Jr. at quarterback, while the Fighting Irish will lean on Sam Hartman. For those looking to spice up the weekend with some wagering action, our NCAAF free picks provide in-depth analysis.
Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Date & Time: Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 2:30 PM ET
Location: Notre Dame Stadium
TV: PEAC
Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 9/16/23 Betting Odds
| Moneyline | Spread | Total | |
| Central Michigan | +30.5 (-115) | +2200 | 52.5 over (-104) |
| Notre Dame | -30.5 (-115) | -100000 | 52.5 under (-118) |
Central Michigan Chippewas Analysis
The Chippewas have struggled to make a significant impact so far, coming in at 1-1. Their offense revolves around quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., who has had mixed performances. His completion rate is at 50%, which leaves much to be desired, and he’s thrown for 280 yards with 3 TDs and 3 interceptions. The ground game is managed by Myles Bailey, who has 127 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per rush. Wide Receiver Chris Parker brings some explosiveness to the team with an average of 28.4 yards per reception. While the potential is there, execution and consistency are lacking.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Analysis
The Fighting Irish are in a different league altogether, starting the season with an emphatic 3-0 record. Quarterback Sam Hartman has been stellar with a completion rate of 75%, a passer rating of 222.5, and zero interceptions. His arsenal includes an impressive 731 yards and 10 touchdowns. Audric Estime commands the ground, rushing for 345 yards with an incredible 8 yards per carry. The receiving corps, led by Chris Tyree, has been excellent, with Tyree averaging 21.3 yards per reception. In short, the Irish have a well-balanced and potent offense that can wreak havoc on any defense.
Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Against the Spread
Starting with Central Michigan, the Chippewas bring a concerning trend to the table: they are 2-8 Against The Spread (ATS) in their last 10 games. This poor record suggests that they often underperform compared to what the bookmakers expect. This lackluster performance isn’t confined to neutral grounds either; they’ve particularly struggled on the road, with a 1-4 ATS record in their last 5 away games. In terms of Over/Under, Central Michigan has seen the total go OVER in 5 of their last 7 games. This suggests that their defense has been porous, allowing higher-scoring games, or alternatively, that their offense has been competent enough to contribute to higher total scores. When facing opponents from the Independents (FBS) conference, the OVER trend continues, hitting in 4 of the last 5 such matchups. As we move into September games, another ominous trend emerges: the Chippewas are 6-14 Straight Up (SU) in their last 20 games played in this month, pointing to a general lack of early-season readiness.
Contrast this with Notre Dame’s more promising trends. The Fighting Irish have not just been winning; they’ve been covering spreads, posting a 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 games. They’ve also been consistent when it comes to the total points, with the OVER hitting in 9 of their last 10 games. This indicates that their offense has been firing on all cylinders, consistently breaking down defensive setups. Their home record is stellar, boasting a 17-3 SU in their last 20 games at Notre Dame Stadium. When playing against teams from the Mid-American conference, like Central Michigan, they maintain an unblemished 6-0 SU record in their last six matchups. In terms of September performances, the Irish seem to excel in early-season games, with a 6-2 ATS record in their last 8 September fixtures.
Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Free Pick
Here are our expert picks:
Moneyline: Notre Dame
While a miracle upset is always possible, it’s improbable in this case. Betting on Notre Dame at -100000 might not give great returns, but it’s as safe as a vault.
Spread: Notre Dame
The spread at -30.5 for Notre Dame might seem steep, but given their dominant offensive capabilities and Central Michigan’s defensive woes, it’s reasonable. Notre Dame should be able to cover this without much trouble.
Total: 52.5 over (-104)
The total is set at 52.5, and given the offensive firepower of Notre Dame and the shaky defense of Central Michigan, taking the OVER at -104 seems like a good pick.
Prediction: 10-44 Notre Dame Fighting Irish win
This matchup seems to be a clear-cut case of a powerhouse meeting an underdog. While Central Michigan has potential, they are far from being in the same league as the Fighting Irish at the moment. If you’re looking into Canadian sports betting, our analysis suggests that Notre Dame is your best bet in all categories.
