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Podcast: Notre Dame Opponents Week 4 – IST334

Irish Sports Talk: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Each week we’ll look at who Notre Dame’s opponents are playing against and how they’re progressing through the season.

Texas falls for the first time this season, Michigan State has another big matchup, this time with #11 Wisconsin, and USC tries to bounce back from a 1–2 start with a win over Utah.

#21 Texas

Texas scored 43 against Cal last week but that wasn’t enough to come away with the win. Both Texas quarterbacks threw and an interception but the ground game continues to look impressive as both running backs ran for over 100 yards each and scored 2 TDs each. Texas has a bye this week before starting their Big 12schedulee with Oklahoma State.

Nevada

Last week Nevada defeated (FCS) Buffalo Bulls 38–14, and this week they face a familiar opponent in the Boilermakers. Nevada is a 6 point dog in this contest and will probably be 2–2 after this game.

#8 Michigan State

At noon on Saturday Michigan State hosts #11 Wisconsin to kickoff their Big 10 schedule. The Spartans are favored by 6 points against the Badgers and this will probably be a sub 20 point game although the over/under is at 43.

Syracuse

Syracuse continued their losing ways by being destroyed for the 2nd week in a row. South Florida defeated Syracuse 45–20. This Saturday at 1 PM, Syracuse is a 5 point dog to Bob Diaco’s Huskies (2–1). Syracuse has given up an average of 38 points and 480 yards per game, but the Huskies are averaging 20 points and 331 yards per game.

NC State

NC State is on a bye after defeating (FCS) Old Dominion 49–22.

#7 Stanford

Stanford has another primetime game this Saturday agains 2–1 UCLA. Stanford will be on the road and is only a 3 point favorite. Through 2 games Christian McCaffrey is the Cardinal’s leading rusher 53 carries, 298 yards, 3 TDs and their leading receiver 10 receptions, 106 yards, 1 TD.

#15 Miami

Finally, Miama will be facing an FBS opponent as their conference games begin. But wait, they have a  bye week first. As if 3 weeks of playing backyard football with FCS wasn’t enough. Next week #15 Miami faces Georgia Tech. To be fair App State did put the fear of God into Tennessee.

Navy

The Midshipmen are 3–0 after a 21–14 victory over Tulane and have a bye week before facing Air Force.

Army

Army is also 3–0 and playing the 0–2 Buffalo Bulls on Saturday at 7 PM. Army is a 14 point favorite and this might be a game that Army doesn’t attempt a pass.

Virginia Tech

Tech bounced back from the Tennessee loss in a big way by defeating Boston College 49–0. This Saturday at 12:30 PM they have a capable opponent in ECU. Tech is favored by 13 points but I think it’ll be closer.

USC

Like the Irish, USC has 2 disappointing losses and is looking for a bounce back on Friday at 9 PM against #24 Utah. The spread is only 3 points favoring Utah and the game is at Utah. Something doesn’t make sense.

Other Games of Note

  • Thursday starts off with a top 5 opponent, Clemson visits Georgia Tech and is favored by 10 points.
  • Friday is the aforementioned USC at #24 Utah.
  • At noon #12 Georgia visits #23 Ole Miss, and surprisingly Ole Miss is a 7 point favorite.
  • Also at noon, #13 FSU looks to regroup vs USF. The spread is 5.5 points