2018 Week 1 College Football Picks & Predictions – Michigan @ Notre Dame Odds & Free Pick 9/1/18

2018 Week 1 College Football Picks & Predictions – Michigan @ Notre Dame Odds & Free Pick 9/1/18: The preseason 12th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play host to the preseason 14th ranked Michigan Wolverines in a week 1 College Football showdown under the lights on September 1st at Notre Dame Stadium. The kickoff for this clash between two of the sport’s signature brands is set for 7:30 PM EST and the odds makers at Bovada Sportsbook have installed Michigan as a -1.5 point favorite with the game betting total listed at over/under 48 points. Let’s take a closer look at this premier week 1 College Football betting matchup and release one of our free college football picks for week 1 to bet on.

2018 Week 1 College Football Picks & Predictions – Michigan @ Notre Dame Odds & Free Pick 9/1/18

Game: Michigan @ Notre Dame
Line: Michigan -1.5 at Bovada Sportsbook
Total: Over/Under 48
Where: Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Date: Saturday, September 1st, 2018

Head coach Jim Harbaugh heads into his 4th season as the man in charge for the Michigan Wolverines football program and he has arguably his most talented and deepest roster yet for the 2018 season. The Wolverines are coming off of an 8-5 overall season including 5-4 in the Big Ten last year but have 14 starters back this season and are ready to compete for the Big Ten Championship in our eyes.

The Michigan offensive unit finished just 91st nationally in scoring at 25.2 points per game last season but have 6 starters back and should be much improved. Harbaugh brought in assistants Ed Warinner and Jim McElwain to help his offense this season and also will have a new starting quarterback in Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson. Patterson started 7 games for the Rebels last season in the SEC and threw for 2259 yards and 17 touchdowns. Don’t expect Michigan to set the world on fire offensively this season but it will be a far cry from the absolute embarrassment that it was last season when simply gaining a first down or two on a drive was like pulling teeth.

On defense, the Wolverines have 8 starters back from an outstanding unit that finished 13th in the country last year in scoring defense by allowing just 18.8 points per game. The unit was even more impressive in total defense as it finished 3rd in the country by giving up just 271 yards per game. Look for the defense to be stout again and the entire secondary is back from a unit that was the top passing defense in the country last year.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are coming off of a 10-3 overall season last year including a 21-17 win over LSU in the Citrus Bowl to close out in style. Head coach Brian Kelly is one of the top coaches in the business and heads into his 9th season as the leader of arguably the most storied program in the sport.

Notre Dame welcomes back 14 starters this season as it looks to win double figures for the 1st time since the 1992 and 1993 seasons. The offense has 5 starters back from a unit that was 24th in the nation in scoring last year at 34.2 points per game. Defensively, the unit has 9 starters back from a unit that was 24th in scoring defense last year by allowing 21.5 points per game.

As far as we are concerned the Fighting Irish will go as far as junior quarterback Brandon Wimbush takes them. Wimbush threw for 1870 yards and 16 touchdowns last season and also rushed for 803 yards and 14 touchdowns. The kid is a dual threat but he needs to really improve his accuracy throwing the ball as he only completed 49.5 percent of his throws last season and that isn’t going to cut it against the top teams on Notre Dame’s schedule this season.

Michigan @ Notre Dame Free Pick and Score Prediction: Michigan to cover as a -1.5 point favorite.

Bet on week 1 College Football action at Bovada Sportsbook