Six times in the 1940s, Army and Notre Dame played as ranked opponents at Yankee Stadium in New York. Saturday brings a throwback to those days, when the Fighting Irish host the undefeated Black Knights in the home of the Bronx Bombers. The Golden Domers are a 14-point favorite in the game, which carries potentially huge College Football Playoff implications. 

Since their unfathomable home loss to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7, the Irish have won eight straight games by an average margin of 32.5 points. Notre Dame has also covered in five straight, all against double-digit spreads. Army is one of three remaining FBS unbeatens (along with Oregon and Indiana), and the Black Knights’ cover rate of 81.5 percent is the best in the nation according to TeamRankings.com.  

Army vs Notre Dame Odds

Odds as of November 19 from BetMGM

Army vs Notre Dame Picks – Week 13

The Fighting Irish have already taken down one previously unbeaten service academy in the New York area, hammering Navy 51-14 in the Meadowlands on Oct. 26. Riley Leonard has found his footing at quarterback, Notre Dame has a bevy of running backs and receivers it can run in and out, and the defense is allowing 11 points per game. The Domers own quality wins over Texas A&M, Louisville (which beat Clemson) and Georgia Tech (which upset Miami).

Army’s schedule, meanwhile, is ranked 137th in the Sagarin ratings. The Black Knights’ best victory is over North Texas. Quarterback Bryson Daily is 13th nationally in all-purpose yards, and Army specializes in the kind of long, grinding drivers that can eat up an entire quarter. The defense has allowed 10 points or fewer in four of its last five games. But will what worked against Rice, Temple and Tulsa work against Notre Dame?

Notre Dame’s scuttling of Navy (schedule rank 96) makes us wary, to say the least. The Irish ran all over the Midshipmen, and the talent gap looms large again this week. The Black Knights are tough, and very good at taking care of the football, and very effective at controlling time of possession. But against the Norte Dame team we’ve seen the past eight weeks, it’s hard to believe that will be enough.

Army vs Notre Dame Week 13 Pick: Notre Dame -14.0 (-110)

Notre Dame has scored 31 or more points in six straight games, going OVER in four of those. Army has split its past eight games against the total.  But these are two of the best defensive teams in the nation, and Army especially can devour the clock with the way it plays offense. Even though Notre Dame is scoring points in bunches right now, the UNDER feels like the right play.

Army vs Notre Dame Week 13 Pick: UNDER 44.5 (-105)

*picks made as of Tuesday, November 19 at 9:00 am ET

Army vs Notre Dame News

Daily missed the Knights’ game against Air Force with an undisclosed injury or illness, and sat out practice prior to Army’s most recent contest against North Texas before starting and playing the whole game. He’s had a bye week to get ready for the Irish. Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter (right hip injury) sat out last week’s victory over Virginia and is a question mark again this week.  Notre Dame right guard Billy Schrauth (right ankle injury) could be available for the first time since Sept. 14 against Purdue, according to Inside ND Sports.

Army vs Notre Dame Prop Bet: Jeremiyah Love Anytime TD

Love enjoyed a huge day against Virginia, when he carried 16 times for 137 yards and a touchdown. While Notre Dame rotates several running backs, Love has scored a touchdown in all 12 games he’s played in so far this season. Love carried 12 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns against Navy, and should get lots of touches again Saturday against the Black Knights.

Army vs Notre Dame Betting Trends