Saturday, October 11, 2014

Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The North Carolina Tar Heels (2-3) will be facing their toughest test of the season so far when they visit the #6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-0) on Saturday afternoon.

The Tar Heels lost their third game in a row last weekend when they were defeated by Virginia Tech by the score of 34-17. They turned the ball over three times in the loss and their defense gave up 171 rushing yards.

One thing that has really hurt the Tar Heels is their defense, which is giving up 42 points per game this season. Quarterback Marquise Williams has completed 61 percent of his passes this year for 1,080 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Sophomore cornerback Brian Walker has three interceptions this season and leads the country with 149 interception yards.

Notre Dame found a way to beat Stanford's tough defense last Saturday and came away with a 17-14 home win. Their 370 offensive yards is the most that Stanford has given up this season. Notre Dame's defense held Stanford to just 47 rushing yards in the win.

The Fighting Irish have one of the best defenses in the country right now after only giving up 12 points per game through five games. Senior quarterback Everett Golson has put himself in the Heisman talk by throwing for 1,383 yards with 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions, and he has also rushed for 138 yards and four more touchdowns. Sophomore running back Greg Bryant has averaged 4.8 yards per carry this season and he has one touchdown.

North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

North Carolina Tar Heels are 0-5-0 Against the Spread

North Carolina Tar Heels are 2-2-0 against the Over/Under

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Trends

Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 4-1-0 Against the Spread

Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 1-4-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

North Carolina Tar Heels

10/05/14 OL Jon Heck Leg "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

09/15/14 DB Nicky Baratti Shoulder out for season
09/07/14 LB Jarrett Grace Leg out indefinitely
08/30/14 DB Austin Collinsworth Knee out indefinitely
08/19/14 LB Ishaq Williams Academics out indefinitely
08/16/14 WR DaVaris Daniels Academics out indefinitely
08/16/14 DB KeiVarae Russell Academics out indefinitely
08/16/14 LB Kendall Moore Academics out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take ND

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald