Louisville vs. Notre Dame Expert Picks, Prediction, & Best Bets

Louisville vs. Notre Dame features two teams with college football playoff aspirations in this Week 5 college football showdown. 

South Bend prepares for a pivotal top-25 showdown as the Louisville Cardinals march into Notre Dame Stadium. In a Week 5 clash that carries significant postseason implications, the Cardinals will face off against the Fighting Irish. The stakes are high, and questions loom: Is Louisville’s early-season momentum sustainable, and which version of Notre Dame will take the field under the bright lights?

Louisville has emerged as a team with something to prove, boasting an undefeated record and a hunger to solidify themselves as legitimate contenders. With a dynamic offense and a defense capable of making key stops, the Cardinals are out to prove they belong in the national conversation.

On the other side, Notre Dame faces a critical juncture. After some uneven performances, this Irish squad has a sense of unpredictability. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency has been elusive. Will the disciplined, high-powered Notre Dame show up, or will they stumble in the face of Louisville’s challenge?

Check out our Louisville vs. Notre Dame picks.

Louisville vs Notre Dame Betting Preview

All Louisville vs. Notre Dame odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.

• Spread
  Notre Dame -6.5
• Moneyline
  Louisville +210, Notre Dame -258
• Over/Under
  46 points
• Game Time
  3:30 p.m. ET
• Location
  Notre Dame Stadium | South Bend, Ind.
• Predicted Weather at Kick
  78 degrees, partly cloudy
• How To Watch
  Peacock

Check out our other college football expert picks! 

Notre Dame opened as a firm favorite at -9.5 for this Week 5 clash, but the betting line has been on the move. After crossing some key numbers, it’s now settled at -6.5, with the total ticking slightly down from 48.5 to 46.

The Fighting Irish come into this matchup with a mixed record against the spread at 2-2. Last week, they were left reeling after failing to cover a massive -27.5 line against Miami-Ohio. This was followed by a shocking loss to Northern Illinois as -28 favorites at home—a game that shook fan confidence and raised questions about their consistency.

Meanwhile, Louisville enters South Bend brimming with confidence. The Cardinals are 3-0 against the spread in 2024, proving they can handle the pressure in big moments. Their dynamic offense has also been a force, with two of their three games going over the total, signaling the kind of high-powered threat they bring to the table.

As this line continues to shift, the matchup between these two teams has all the makings of a thriller. Notre Dame will be desperate to restore faith, while Louisville seeks to make a statement under the bright lights of South Bend.

Prediction for Lousiville vs. Notre Dame

Louisville’s ability to withstand Notre Dame’s formidable defensive front will be pivotal in a game that will likely be won or lost in the trenches. If the Cardinals can protect Tyler Shough, they have a real shot. Shough has proven that, given time, he can dissect defenses with precision, and that will be key if Louisville wants to leave South Bend victorious on Saturday.

On the other hand, Notre Dame’s passing attack has been far from threatening. Yes, the Irish piled up 270 rushing yards against Miami-Ohio last week, but they’ll need more than just a ground game to keep pace with Louisville’s balanced offensive approach.

+6️⃣ 😤

It’s #TouchdownTuesday featuring Chris Bell’s 37 yard TD from Tyler Shough in No. 19 Louisville’s 31-19 win over Georgia Tech to open up conference play@LouisvilleFB | @GoCards | #GoCards pic.twitter.com/ir4ziCn6JG

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 24, 2024

While Louisville’s defense hasn’t yet faced elite competition, it has been stout against the run, currently ranking 28th nationally in that category. Its performance last week, holding Georgia Tech’s ground attack to under 100 yards, further underscores its ability to control the line of scrimmage.

Notre Dame’s blueprint for success would be to dominate time of possession, lean on their ground game, and put pressure on Shough. If they can control the clock and keep the Cardinals’ offense off the field, the Irish can grind out a victory. But that’s a tall order against a Louisville team that will eventually find ways to move the ball and score.

This game could resemble last year’s contest, where the score was tied 7-7 at halftime before Louisville surged in the second half. The Cardinals racked up 195 rushing yards and scored 26 second-half points to secure a 33-20 victory.

I expect a similar outcome this year, with Louisville figuring out how to unlock Notre Dame’s defense and force the Irish into uncomfortable situations. Ultimately, I believe Louisville will pull off the upset once again.

Prediction: Louisville 23, Notre Dame 17

Best Bet: Lousiville +6.5