Tennessee State vs Notre Dame Odds: Fighting Irish to Crush

Notre Dame Will Face a Football Championship Subdivision Team For First Time

After dispatching of Navy in routine fashion in the NCAAF season opener in Dublin, Ireland, Notre Dame will face Tennessee State in the second game of the season. With Tennessee State being a Football Championship Subdivision program, the Tennessee State vs Notre Dame odds are not up yet. Expect the Fighting Irish to be heavy favorites.

Notre Dame has never played an FCS team in its distinguished history. There should be little problem with the Fighting Irish improving to 2-0.

Things will get significantly more challenging in a couple of weeks with No. 3 Ohio State makes it way to South Bend. A Week 3 NCAAF matchup with Central Michigan is up next.

Even though Notre Dame plays five Atlantic Coast Conference teams as a result of an agreement with the conference, the Fighting Irish continue to play as an independent.

Notre Dame is priced at +2800 in the odds to win the national title and that ranks 11th nationally.

Notre Dame is ranked 13th in both the Associated Press and coaches polls.

When looking at the NCAAF standings, Notre Dame is looking to improve to 2-0 for the fifth time in the last six seasons.

Familiar Name Leading Tennessee State Program

Tennessee State will be facing an FBS program in the season opener for the first time since the 2017 season. It will be the first time that it has happened during the three seasons that former Heisman Trophy-winning running back Eddie George has been coaching the Tigers.

Tennessee State is coming off a 4-7 season and was picked fourth in the first season of the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference.

George ran for more than 200 yards to lead Ohio State past Notre Dame during his remarkable playing career. It would be quite an accomplishment if he repeated that feat as a head coach.

The Tennessee State vs Notre Dame odds will not be in favor of George’s squad.

Tennessee State is led by the duo of Josh and James Green. Josh has 225 career tackles with James making 131 career stops.

Draylen Ellis returns at quarterback after passing for 1811 yards. Jalen Rouse led Tennessee State with 613 rushing yards in 2022 while Karate Brenson and Da’Shon Davis were two of the top pass catchers.

Quite the Debut For Hartman

Sam Hartman was a productive quarterback during his time at Wake Forest. He wasted little time picking up where he left off in his Notre Dame debut.

Hartman was 19-of-23 for 251 yards with four touchdown passes in the win over Navy. Two of the touchdowns went to Jaden Greathouse while Audric Estime ran for 95 yards and a touchdown. Only five NCAAF players have better odds to win the Heisman Trophy than Hartman’s odds of +1600.

Jack Kiser led the defense with eight tackles as Navy finished with just first downs and 169 yards of total offense.

Notre Dame led by 42 points before Navy had a late field goal.

Notre Dame was 21st nationally in total defense last season and 60th in total offense a season opener in Marcus Freeman’s first season as the head coach of the Fighting Irish. Keep that in mind when looking at the Tennessee State vs Notre Dame odds.

Last Meeting

When looking at the NCAA football scores, this is the first meeting between the programs.

Tennessee State is 1-5 against FBS teams dating back to 2006 with two games each against Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee State.

Tennessee State has lost four straight games to FBS teams, two under George’s watch.

What to Expect

After rolling past Navy in the season opener, it should be more of the same for Notre Dame in the home opener.

Notre Dame was just 7-6 against the spread last season. That included a 2-4 mark at home and 1-4 as the home favorite.

Notre Dame is 19-2 outright in its last 21 games as a double-digit favorite. However, Notre Dame is just 10-11 against the spread in those contests.

The last seven games played by Notre Dame in 2022 finished over the total. However, the 2023 season opener came up just short of the 49.5-point total. Eight of the 13 games played by Notre Dame last season went over the total.

Tight end Eli Raridon is not expected to play for Notre Dame.

Tennessee State has been outscored 104-16 in two games against FBS competition during George’s tenure with the Tigers and failed to cover as a 19.5 underdog in a 2022 loss to Middle Tennessee and Mississippi State was favored by 44.5 points according to the college football spreads in a 45-point win in 2021.

For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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