Notre Dame vs Clemson Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Irish Bring the Fight in Week 10

Their fifth meeting in the last six years, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish trip to face the Clemson Tigers this weekend could be the tipping point for both seasons. A second straight win against Clemson should assure Notre Dame of a New Year’s Six Bowl bid. A Tigers win would go a long way toward redeeming this lost season.

A home college football odds underdog — that would be a bit of a surprise from Clemson, but perhaps that’s how it snaps a two-game losing streak. Who has the edge this weekend? Let’s ponder in our free college football picks and predictions for Notre Dame vs Clemson on Saturday, November 4.

Notre Dame vs Clemson best odds

Notre Dame vs Clemson picks and predictions

The Irish defense has forced five turnovers in each of its last two games. Obviously, that’s not sustainable, but it gives a rather clear idea of how Notre Dame is approaching opponents right now, particularly opponents with faltering offensive lines.

USC’s offensive line has kept Caleb Williams on the move all season, and Pittsburgh’s offensive line is thinning quickly, not that it was stellar when fully healthy. And the Irish charged through both of them, hassling Williams and Panthers quarterback Christian Veilleux into repeated throws off their respective back feet, leading to seven total interceptions.

And now it gets to focus on an offensive line it beat up just last year, not to mention one struggling to protect a mistake-prone quarterback.

A year ago, a similar defensive approach from Notre Dame led to seven tackles for loss, including four sacks, against Clemson. From a 30,000-foot view, the Tigers’ offensive line has been its greatest undoing in recent years, more so than D.J. Uiagalelei’s inaccuracy, more so than Cade Klubnik’s inexperience, more so than a dearth of game-breaking receivers.

Frankly, looking across the field on Saturday will emphasize that. The Irish have maintained strong footing the last few years, despite last year’s utter quarterback woes, because their offensive line has always been a strength.

Clemson cannot claim that, and with Notre Dame’s increasing defensive aggression, that offensive line liability will rear its ugly head.

Klubnik’s stats show that chaos, fumbling nine times this season and losing five. Add in five interceptions and Klubnik is averaging more than a turnover per game. 

These woes have cost the Tigers where it matters most; three Clemson fumbles coming on goal-to-go situations, part of converting only 22 of 41 red-zone trips into touchdowns, 53.7%, No. 100 in the country. Of pertinence, the Irish have given up only nine touchdowns on 25 opponent red-zone trips, 36% ranking No. 5 in the country.

The Tigers have scored just 18 points per game across their last three, each of those defenses notably worse than Notre Dame’s, arguably a Top-5 defense on the season and, to say it again, one finding a particular stride of late.

All these trends point in one direction, siding with the short road favorite. The havoc its defense should wreak should be enough to cover a field-goal margin.

My best bet: Notre Dame -3 (-110 at bet365)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.

Notre Dame vs Clemson same-game parlay

Notre Dame -3

First half Under 22.5

Rico Flores Jr. anytime touchdown

50% boost available

+942 +1,413 at FanDuel

The Irish very well may take a conservative approach early on this weekend, patient enough to wait for Klubnik’s mistakes to set up the Notre Dame offense. Irish veteran quarterback Sam Hartman could certainly make a few big plays out of the gates, but it’s more likely that Notre Dame lets an eventual short field buoy its offense.

That wait should make for a highlight-sparse first half.

Even more than usual, the Irish offense may need time to find its footing. Junior tight end Mitchell Evans tore his ACL last week, costing Notre Dame its leading pass-catcher (29 receptions for 422 yards).

Someone will need to fill that void, and it’s unlikely to be a tight end. The Irish will lean on their receivers more often, and the one that should see the greatest uptick is freshman Rico Flores Jr.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Notre Dame vs Clemson spread and Over/Under analysis

After an ill-advised opening line that favored the Irish by a point, this jumped to -3 on Sunday and has hung there all week aside from some moments at -2.5. The message that line sends: don’t dock the Tigers too much for their four losses.

This is still one of the most talented rosters in the country with a proven and stout defense.

But there could be a wrinkle: Senior running back Will Shipley is in concussion protocols and his status this weekend remains uncertain. If he’s sidelined, then the most consistent piece of Clemson’s offense the last three years will be gone.

Tigers No. 2 running back Phil Mafah is plenty good. A bruising ball carrier, Mafah has taken 73 carries for an average of 6.01 yards per rush this season. But his overall impact is far less than Shipley’s, who really has been the best catalyst for this offense since 2021. Losing Shipley would boost this spread, at least by a hook.

The total also had a misguided opening number, reaching the public at 40.5 on Sunday before jumping up to 46. Through the week, it dropped to 44.5, a testament to the defenses being the two best units on the field.

Notre Dame vs Clemson betting trend to know

Clemson is 4-9 against the spread in its last 13 games against Power Five competition. Find more college football betting trends for Notre Dame vs Clemson.

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