The Virginia Cavaliers (5-4) face off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1) on Saturday, November 16th. This game will be played at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame and televised on NBC. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Kickoff is set for 3:30 ET.

Virginia Cavaliers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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Virginia Offense Breakdown

Virginia’s offense is averaging 26 points per game, placing them 58th in the nation as they prepare for week 12. Our power rankings have them 79th overall. They are 40th in passing attempts, with 33.4 per game, and they rank 34th in completions, averaging 21.3 per game. Their passing game produces 254.4 yards per game, and they are 30th in completion percentage at 63.8%. However, their third-down conversion rate is just 35.3%, ranking 105th, and their passer rating is 66th nationally.

Anthony Colandrea leads the Cavaliers with 1,948 passing yards and a passer rating of 87. He has completed 63.2% of his passes, throwing 12 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. On the ground, Virginia averages 145.8 rushing yards per game. Kobe Pace leads the team with 442 rushing yards, averaging 4 yards per carry, and has scored three touchdowns. Malachi Fields is the top receiver with 665 yards and four touchdowns on 45 catches.

Notre Dame Offense Breakdown

Notre Dame’s offense has been driven by their run game, averaging 215.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 16th in the country. Jeremiyah Love leads the team with 583 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry. Overall, the Fighting Irish are scoring 38.3 points per game, placing them 12th nationally, and they are ranked 19th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 12.

Riley Leonard has thrown for 1,575 yards, completing 64.4% of his passes with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Notre Dame ranks 98th in passing yards per game. Leonard’s passer rating is 92. Beaux Collins leads the receivers with 374 yards and two touchdowns.

Virginia Team Defense

Virginia’s defense played a key role in their 24-19 win over Pittsburgh, allowing 19 points and forcing two interceptions. They gave up 292 total yards, including 127 rushing yards on 32 attempts and 165 passing yards.

On average, Virginia’s defense has allowed 26.7 points per game this season. They rank 59th in the nation against the run, giving up 133.7 rushing yards per game, and 146th in passing yards allowed, surrendering 262.9 yards per game through the air.

Virginia Team Defense

Notre Dame’s defense has been a standout unit this season, ranking third nationally by allowing just 11.1 points per game. They’ve also held opponents to a passer rating of 52.8, which is the third-lowest in the country, and limited quarterbacks to a 48.5% completion rate. On average, the Irish have given up just 148.6 passing yards per game, the seventh-lowest mark in college football, and 132.7 rushing yards per game.

In their latest game, a 52-3 win over Florida State, Notre Dame’s defense allowed only 3 points and 208 total yards. They held the Seminoles to 88 passing yards and intercepted two passes. Florida State ran the ball 43 times but managed just 120 rushing yards against the Irish defense.

Virginia vs Notre Dame Trends

• In their last five road games, Virginia has averaged 30 points per game while allowing 30 . The team’s record in this stretch was 3-2 while going 4-0-1 vs. the spread.
• Through their last ten home contests, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offense has averaged 38 points per game while allowing an average of 21. Notre Dame posted an overall record of 8-2 while going 8-2 ATS.
• Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the Virginia Cavaliers have a strong record vs the spread going 4-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 2-3.
• Notre Dame has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.

Cavaliers vs Fighting Irish Prediction

Our projections have Notre Dame winning their week 12 matchup against Virginia by a score of 35-15. However, with Virginia as +23 point underdogs, we like their chances to cover the spread.

For the over/under, with the line set at 50.5 points, we see this being right on target, but our slight lean would be to take the under, as our model has the teams combining for exactly 50 points.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.