Notre Dame football score predictions: Fighting Irish vs. Duke national picks
No. 11 Notre Dame (4-1) has a chance to get back on track vs. No. 17 Duke (4-0) at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday night. Here is what national outlets predict to happen in what might be the biggest game the Blue Devils have ever hosted in Durham.
Sporting News: Notre Dame 31, Duke 24
“It’s an all-in game for Duke and a potential hangover spot for Notre Dame after the heart-breaking 17-14 loss to Ohio State. Riley Leonard‘s completion percentage has improved with each season – but he’s going to have to make more game-changing throws in the air against the Irish – who bounce back with Sam Hartman on the road. The Blue Devils are 6-1 ATS as an underdog under Mike Elko since last season. Notre Dame pulls out a tight cover with a late fourth-quarter TD.”
The Athletic (Bruce Feldman): Irish 24, Blue Devils 14
“Mike Elko’s Duke team has been very impressive, especially on defense. The Blue Devils’ home atmosphere should be charged up, but I think Sam Hartman (who lost at Duke with Wake Forest last year but did play well) will carry the Irish through a tough spot.”
The Athletic (Stewart Mandel): Notre Dame 24, Duke 21
“What a phenomenal job Mike Elko is doing. The Blue Devils have defeated their first four foes by an average of 28.5 points, and the defense is allowing just 8.8 points per game. But the tandem of Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman and running back Audric Estime will be a bigger challenge than Duke has seen to this point. There’s upset potential, but …”
CBS Sports: Fighting Irish -5.5
“The Fighting Irish have QB Sam Hartman and a tremendous passing attack, but the offense is well balanced, with RB Audric Estime racking up 7.7 yards per game with 5 rushing TDs in 5 games. This is a powerful type of offense that Duke +5.5 (-110) just hasn’t seen all season. You might say Clemson, but the Tigers are just 2-2, and that Duke upset on Labor Day is looking a little less impressive.”
Bleacher Report: Irish 27, Blue Devils 16
“Notre Dame put together a decent showing opposite Ohio State, but a couple of wasted scoring chances—something that hadn’t happened this season to that point—cost the Fighting Irish a marquee upset. That’s the exact blueprint of how Duke upended Clemson in Week 1. However, lightning will not strike twice in Durham.”
USA TODAY
- Scooby Axson: Notre Dame
- Jace Evans: Fighting Irish
- Paul Myerberg: Notre Dame
- Erick Smith: Fighting Irish
- Eddie Timanus: Duke
- Dan Wolken: Duke
Athlon Sports
- Steve Lassan: Notre Dame
- Joe Vitale: Fighting Irish
- Luke Easterling: Notre Dame
