What Though the Odds: Notre Dame Football vs. Stanford Betting Info and Pick

The #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be featured on NBC when they host the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM ET.

About Last Week

Not only was the weather dreary at Chapel Hill, but it also appeared like the Irish’s opening performance was too, on both sides of the ball. Notre Dame began the game on offense but was forced to punt five plays later. North Carolina opened its first drive on its own 26-yard line before finding itself in a 2nd-and-goal situation from Notre Dame’s 13-yard line. Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards threw an incomplete pass, but there was an unsportsmanlike penalty called on the play. Notre Dame linebacker Jaiden Ausberry became frustrated after being blocked into the sideline for several seconds after the play had ended. So, to stop the Tar Heels lineman’s excessive aggression, Ausberry swiped at the back of the lineman’s helmet, causing it to be removed inadvertently.

Head coach Marcus Freeman could be seen expressing his own frustration at the officials’ lack of control regarding the North Carolina players blocking well after the whistle had been blown. Nonetheless, the penalty was upheld, and it provided the North Carolina offense with an automatic first down. The Tar Heels scored the game’s first touchdown two plays later.

The cloud from the penalty seemed to hang over the entire Notre Dame team during the ensuing kickoff, and that was the turning point in the game, as the Irish offense scored seven plays later. Notre Dame would not trail again for the remainder of the game. The 37-26 victory over North Carolina tagged Freeman as the first head coach in Notre Dame history to win 15 consecutive games by double digits. Next up: Stanford

Key Injuries and Betting Trends

Notre Dame
WR Quincy Porter (knee), OL Charles Jagusah (arm), Chris Terek (knee), DL Christopher Burgess Jr. (tibia), DL Tiki Hola (knee), LB Ko’o Kia (shoulder), DB Chaz Smith (wrist), S Brauntae Johnson (foot), and DL Jason Onye (ankle) are out. OL Matty Austine (foot), DB Leonard Moore (concussion), and LB Kingston Vilamu Asa (thumb) are questionable.

Stanford
LB Jahsiah Galvan and DL Jacobi Murray are questionable.

• Notre Dame is 25-14 all-time against Stanford.
• Notre Dame holds the Legends Trophy.
• Notre Dame is 3-2 ATS in its last five games versus Stanford.
• Notre Dame is 3-2 ATS in 2026.
• Notre Dame has won 15 straight games by double digits.

Line, Total, and Matchup Outlook

Stanford (2-3) (2-3 ATS) at #3 Notre Dame (5-0) (3-2 ATS)

Oddsmakers had Notre Dame favored by three touchdowns over North Carolina last weekend, so it marked the second time in five games that the Irish have not covered the spread. North Carolina put up 26 points on the scoreboard. They scored on their opening drive, their final drive before halftime, a kickoff return immediately after halftime, and one more time later in the fourth quarter. What the scoreboard didn’t show, however, was the domination that was taking place on the field.

Notre Dame possessed the ball for nearly 15 minutes longer than North Carolina. The Irish had a 17-play scoring drive during the third quarter in which they ran the ball 15 times. Looking at defensive alignments, it was obvious that the Tar Heels knew Notre Dame was going to run the ball, but they also knew there was nothing they could do to stop it. The Irish finished the game with 241 yards rushing on 45 carries (5.4 YPC). Freshman running back Jonaz Walton became the first Notre Dame freshman running back with a 100-yard game since 2020. Walton carried the ball 23 times for 120 yards (5.2 YPC).

The Tar Heels offense couldn’t do much on the other side of the ball either. North Carolina finished with 286 yards of total offense. North Carolina carried the ball 23 times for just 77 yards (3.3 YPC).

The Pick

Coincidentally, Notre Dame is set to face a Stanford team that was dominated by Wake Forest during its last outing. The Demon Deacons beat the Cardinal to the tune of 57-3. Stanford was limited to 197 yards of total offense. Meanwhile, Wake Forest racked up 322 yards through the air and another 197 yards on the ground.

Stanford’s defense is ranked 96th against the run and 137th against the pass. They’ll be facing a Notre Dame offense that is just beginning to flex its muscles as the offensive line and running backs are developing a better rapport. Last weekend against North Carolina, only three Notre Dame wide receivers recorded receptions. Expect CJ Carr to find new targets downfield against Stanford. The Heisman hopeful is currently 7th in passing efficiency with 185.04. Carr has completed 88 of 124 attempts for 1197 yards, 13 touchdowns, and one interception.

Stanford’s best bet would be to try to control the clock and limit Notre Dame’s possessions by running the football. However, Stanford is ranked 135th in rushing offense. They average 88.8 rushing yards per game while having amassed just 444 yards on the ground through five games.

This weekend, the Cardinal will be lined up against a Notre Dame defense that’s ranked 4th in stopping the run. The Irish are allowing just 58.4 rushing yards per game with an average of two yards per carry.

This game should be over by the 2nd quarter, and the odds reflect that. Bookmakers have Notre Dame listed as 38-point favorites with a total of 54.5. Pick: Notre Dame -38

Behind Enemy Lines Week 6

Wisconsin (4-1) (3-2 ATS) – Bye
The Badgers handled Michigan State easily, disarming the Spartans, 31-3. Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph completed 9 of 20 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried the ball 13 times for 141 yards and a score. Next game: at UCLA

Rice (1-4) (3-2 ATS) at East Carolina (2-2) (1-3 ATS)
Rice did not allow a score in the second half last week against UTSA, but it did not matter, as the Roadrunners still won 16-14. East Carolina will be entering this game off a bye. The Pirates’ last game was a 42-9 blowout win over North Carolina Central. Rice is 4-6 ATS in its last 10 games. ECU games are averaging 55.1 points per game. East Carolina is -9.5 with a total of 47. Pick: Under 47

Illinois (2-3) (2-3 ATS) at Michigan State (2-3) (3-2 ATS)
The Fighting Illini fell at home to Purdue, 24-17. Michigan State was eaten alive at Wisconsin, as the Badgers shredded the Spartans 31-3. The total has gone under in six of Illinois’ last 10 games. Michigan State is 0-3 SU in its last three games. Illinois is -2.5 with a total of 48.5. Pick: Illinois -2.5

Minnesota (4-1) (4-1 ATS) at Purdue (2-3) (2-3 ATS)
The Gophers shut out Michigan in the second half, 13-0, which propelled Minnesota to a 20-14 victory over the Wolverines. Purdue added its second win of the season at Illinois, 24-17. Minnesota is 10-3 ATS in its last 10 games. Purdue’s win over Illinois was its first Big Ten win since 2023. Minnesota is -2.5 with a total of 51. Pick: Purdue 2.5

North Carolina (2-2) (2-2 ATS) at #25 Pittsburgh (5-0) (4-1 ATS)
The Tar Heels saved embarrassment by only falling to Notre Dame 37-26. Pittsburgh won in a shootout at Virginia Tech, 35-33. North Carolina has gone over the total in five of its last 10 games. Pittsburgh has outscored opponents 157-34 this season at home. Pittsburgh is -4.5 with a total of 47. Pick: Pittsburgh -4.5

Iowa State (3-2) (3-2 ATS) at #8 BYU (4-0) (4-0 ATS)
Iowa State was outscored 28-24 in the second half of its game against West Virginia, but the Cyclones still went on to win 45-42. BYU held TCU to three second-half points in the Cougars’ 17-10 victory. Six of Iowa State’s last 10 games have gone under. BYU is 4-0 ATS this season. BYU is -10.5 with a total of 47. Pick: Under 47

Tulsa (3-2) (3-2 ATS) at Navy (1-3) (0-4 ATS)
Tulsa was outscored by a point in overtime as it fell to North Texas 45-44. Navy’s fleet was sunk by the Air Force Falcons, 14-9. Seven of Tulsa’s last 10 games have gone under. Navy has lost three straight games. Navy is -2.5 with a total of 49.5. Pick: Navy -2.5

#4 Miami (5-0) (4-1 ATS) – Bye
The Hurricanes broke into Death Valley and snatched a 41-13 win over the Tigers. Miami held Clemson to just 55 rushing yards on 31 carries (1.8 YPC). Next game: Florida State

Boston College (2-3) (3-2 ATS) – Bye
Boston College’s defense held the Mustangs offense to 218 total yards, but it wasn’t enough, as SMU managed to win the game 25-16. Next game: Pittsburgh

#24 SMU (4-1) (2-3 ATS) – Bye
The Mustangs trotted by Boston College, 25-16. SMU was held to 58 yards rushing on 32 carries (1.8 YPC). Next game: Virginia

Syracuse (2-2) (1-3 ATS) at Virginia (3-2) (3-2 ATS)
The Orange squeezed out a one-point overtime win at Connecticut, 42-41. Virginia was held scoreless for the final three quarters in its 38-7 loss to Florida State. Syracuse has lost nine straight ACC games. Virginia is 3-0 at home this season. Virginia is -9 with a total of 50. Pick: Virginia -9