No. 15 Louisville is set to face off against No. 16 Notre Dame in a highly-anticipated college football game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, with the matchup being broadcast on Peacock. Notre Dame is favored by 6 1/2 points according to BetMGM College Football Odds, and the series record between the two teams is currently tied at 2-2.
This game holds significant implications for both teams as Notre Dame aims to bounce back from a recent loss to Northern Illinois that dealt a blow to their playoff aspirations. Despite winning two consecutive games following the defeat, a victory against No. 15 Louisville could put them back on track for a potential playoff appearance. Louisville, on the other hand, will be looking to replicate their success against Notre Dame in the past and continue their strong start to the season which has seen them go undefeated thus far.
A key matchup to watch in the game is Louisville’s high-scoring offense, averaging 47.3 points per game and led by Coach Jeff Brohm, going up against Notre Dame’s stout defense. Notre Dame’s defense, which is only allowing 9.8 points per game and ranks 16th in total yards allowed, will pose a significant challenge to Louisville’s potent offensive attack.
Two players to keep an eye on during the game are Louisville’s defensive end Ashton Gillotte and Notre Dame’s defensive end Boubacar Traore. Gillotte, a preseason All-American, has been a disruptive force for Louisville with 23 sacks and 32 1/2 tackles for loss in his career. Traore, on the other hand, has stepped up for Notre Dame following an injury to a teammate and has impressed with his performance, including leading all freshmen nationally in sacks.
Louisville will be hitting the road for the first time this season after playing their first three games at home. In their last game against Georgia Tech, Louisville showcased their versatility by scoring touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams for the first time since 2013. Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard has also been making headlines as the only Power 4 quarterback this season to rush for 100 or more yards in multiple games, further adding to the excitement surrounding this upcoming matchup.