The Virginia Cavaliers head into this week with their eyes set on securing bowl eligibility, striving for the consistency that has eluded them throughout the season’s final stretch. Currently sitting at 5-4, the Cavaliers require just one victory from their remaining three games to secure a spot in a postseason bowl game, a highly coveted goal they haven’t achieved since 2019.
Under the guidance of sophomore quarterback Anthony Colandrea, the Cavaliers recently celebrated a critical victory over Pitt last weekend, showcasing a commanding defensive performance. They restricted the Panthers to a mere 292 total yards of offense while keeping quarterback Eli Holstien in check, forcing him to complete just 10 of 23 passing attempts for a total of 121 yards.
This week, the Cavaliers face an uphill battle as they gear up for a challenging matchup against the formidable 8-1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, IN. This encounter promises to be a true test for Virginia as they look to maintain their momentum.
Since experiencing an unexpected home defeat to unranked Northern Illinois, the Irish have embarked on an impressive seven-game winning streak. During this span, they have scored 40 or more points in four separate contests, dominating their opponents with a staggering 183-37 scoring margin over their last four games.
After a sluggish start to the season, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard has elevated his game remarkably over the past month. He has accumulated a total of 22 touchdowns this season, showcasing his dual-threat ability with nine passing touchdowns and an impressive 13 rushing touchdowns.
Game Details & How to Watch Virginia @ Notre Dame
· Date: Saturday, November 16th, 2024
· Time: 3:30 PM EST
· Site: Notre Dame Stadium
· City: South Bend, IN
· TV/Streaming: NBC
Game Odds for Virginia @ Notre Dame courtesy of BetMGM
· Moneyline: Virginia (+1100), Notre Dame (-2500)
· Spread: Notre Dame -23
· Total: 50.5
Betting Insights and Best Bet
NBC Sports Bet’s Brad Thomas is leaning toward Notre Dame -23:
“Naturally I would advocate for a Riley Leonard rushing over in this game. He finished with 70 rushing yards in his last game and has consistently achieved over 50 rushing yards in seven of his games this season. While the exact rushing total is still to be determined, I anticipate it being around 55.5 yards—a benchmark that I would strongly consider.
Let’s talk about the spread, at least. Notre Dame is 6-2-1 against the spread this year, boasting an impressive average margin of victory of 27.2 points. They are also significantly outperforming the average spread by +11.5.
This Notre Dame team is special. Defensively, they are exceptionally strong, ranking in the top five in defensive success rate and EPA margin, showcasing their capability to shut down opposing offenses.
I don’t see how Virginia will move the ball effectively against such a formidable defense. Take the Fighting Irish.”
National Championship Odds courtesy of BetMGM
· Favorite: Ohio State +300
· Notre Dame: +2200
BetMGM College Football Insights: National Championship
Line movement (Last Week to Now)
· Ohio State +350 to +300
· Texas +550 to +450
· Ole Miss +3500 to +1000
Highest Ticket%
· Ohio State 14.0%
· Texas 11.5%
· Georgia 10.6%
Highest Handle%
· Ohio State 17.7%
· Georgia 16.3%
· Texas 11.4%
Biggest Liabilities
· Colorado
· Ohio State
· Tennessee
Names to Know for Virginia @ Notre Dame
· Virginia Cavaliers: QB Anthony Colandrea – Colandrea has shown potential and playmaking ability, even amid a fluctuating lineup.
· Notre Dame Fighting Irish: QB Riley Leonard – Coming from Duke, Leonard’s performance has lived up to expectations, already accumulating 13 rushing touchdowns this season.
Top Betting Trends & Insights Ahead of Virginia @ Notre Dame
· Virginia has covered the Spread in 4 of its last 5 games as an underdog.
· Betting on Virginia to a level stake in all games this season would have yielded a remarkable 106% return on investment.
· Notre Dame’s last 3 home games have consistently gone OVER the Total, indicating an explosive offense.
· Notre Dame is 4-0 all-time vs. the Virginia Cavaliers, maintaining a historical edge in their encounters.
· Virginia is 5-1 against the spread in its last six games and an impressive 7-0-1 in their last eight on the road, demonstrating their competitive nature.
· Notre Dame is 5-0 ATS in its last five games this season, further accentuating their strength.
· The UNDER has cashed in 4 of UVA’s last 5 games, while the OVER has been successful in 4 of Notre Dame’s last 5, indicating contrasting scoring trends for the teams.
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**Interview with John Smith, Sports Analyst and Virginia Cavaliers Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, John. The Virginia Cavaliers are just one win away from bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019. What’s been the key to their recent success, especially in light of their victory over Pitt?
**John Smith:** It’s great to be here! The Cavaliers have shown flashes of potential, particularly in that recent game against Pitt. A huge part of their success has come from their defense, which was stellar in limiting the Panthers to just 292 total yards. Players like Anthony Colandrea, our sophomore quarterback, have begun to find their rhythm. Colandrea’s ability to make plays under pressure has been crucial, and he’s been developing his connection with the receivers as well.
**Editor:** This week, they face a tough opponent in Notre Dame. How do you think Virginia can prepare for such a formidable challenge?
**John Smith:** It’s going to be a tough test for Virginia, especially considering Notre Dame’s seven-game winning streak. The key for the Cavaliers will be to maintain their defensive intensity. They’ll need to find a way to limit Riley Leonard’s effectiveness—he’s been a dual-threat nightmare with his 22 total touchdowns this season. Virginia has to create pressure and force him into difficult situations, while also finding a way to establish their offense against a strong Irish defense.
**Editor:** From a betting perspective, Notre Dame is favored by 23 points. How do you view this line, and what does it say about the matchup?
**John Smith:** The spread indicates widespread confidence in Notre Dame’s capabilities given their recent dominance. However, it’s important to consider that Virginia has covered the spread in four of their last five games as an underdog. While the odds lean heavily towards Notre Dame, Virginia has the potential to surprise if they can execute their game plan effectively. If they can establish a running game and control the clock, there’s a chance they could keep it closer than expected.
**Editor:** Lastly, which player will be pivotal for Virginia in the game against Notre Dame?
**John Smith:** Anthony Colandrea is definitely the player to watch. His development this season has been impressive, and he’ll need to step up in this crucial matchup. If he can make smart decisions and avoid turnovers while being effective with both his arm and legs, Virginia could create opportunities. They’ll need him to rise to the occasion against a top-tier opponent.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, John. It’ll be exciting to see how the Cavaliers respond to this significant challenge against Notre Dame.
**John Smith:** My pleasure! It’s always thrilling to follow this sport, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds on Saturday.
