- Notre Dame is a 7.5-point favorite against Indiana on Friday.
- The total for this College Football Playoff matchup is 51.5.
A new-look College Football Playoff format will start with a matchup between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) and the Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) at 8 p.m. ET on Friday at Notre Dame Stadium.
The CFP has expanded to 12 teams, so this weekend’s first-round games will occur on campus. The Fighting Irish have the honor of hosting the first such contest in a game televised on ESPN.
Notre Dame is favored by more than a touchdown, but can Indiana knock off its in-state foe to start the CFP with an upset?
Here is a look at the latest Indiana vs. Notre Dame college football odds and my prediction for Friday’s showdown.
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Betting Odds, Dec. 20
- Point spread: Notre Dame -7.5
- Total: 51.5
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Prediction – Friday, Dec. 20
Based on the latest college football betting lines at the BetMGM online sportsbook, my Indiana vs. Notre Dame prediction is the over on Omar Cooper Jr.’s receiving yards (29.5) prop due to a matchup that should earn him a more significant workload on Friday.
The Fighting Irish play a ton of man-to-man defense, trusting their corners to shut down the opposing receivers. It’s an effective strategy, particularly before Benjamin Morrison (a potential first-round pick next spring) suffered a season-ending injury in mid-October.
True freshman cornerback Leonard Moore has stepped up in Morrison’s absence, and he’s performed exceptionally well. But he’s also likely to be tested in the College Football Playoff by teams looking for a weakness. He was targeted 10 times against USC last time out.
If Indiana follows a similar script, Omar Cooper Jr. could have a bigger day as Indiana’s No. 2 receiver. He has averaged 47.9 receiving yards per game this season, clearing this mark in nine of his 11 outings.
He can also clear this mark if the Hoosiers are playing from behind on the road.
Either way, I’d bet Cooper’s receiving yardage prop at 32.5 or better.
Prediction: Omar Cooper Jr. Over 29.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
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