DraftKings Sportsbook Game of the Week: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame preview and predictions
The Week 4 college football slate is absolutely loaded with can’t-miss games. I actually previewed my own Games of the Week a couple of days ago, but there’s no denying that the clash between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish is the biggest one of the weekend. This is a game with legitimate College Football Playoff implications and there will be a lot of eyeballs on it. In fact, this is the DraftKings Sportsbook Game of the Week, which means they’re offering a 50% profit boost on the game. With that in mind, this is one that you’re going to want to bet. So, keep reading for my best bet on the game. I’ll run through why I like one of the two sides and I’ll also tell you how I’d suggest using the profit boost.
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Ohio State Buckeyes at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Ohio State’s 23-3 win over Indiana scared some people. The Buckeyes normally have an elite offense, so seeing them struggle in Week 1 definitely raised some eyebrows. But Ryan Day’s offense is quietly humming again, with Ohio State having scored a total of 88 points over the last two weeks. Quarterback Kyle McCord is now looking comfortable operating this potent offense, as he has thrown for six touchdowns and no picks over the last two weeks. And he is realizing his job is easy as long as he gets the ball to star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who has 12 receptions for 286 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks. On top of that, the Buckeyes running game is in great hands. Not only is TreVeyon Henderson a flat-out stud but the team has a stable of backs that can contribute behind him.
All in all, I think that the Buckeyes will have the better offense in this game, especially considering Day seems to get his guys juiced up for big matchups. Under Day, Ohio State is 16-1 SU and 10-7 ATS when playing as a road favorite. The Buckeyes are also 15-5 SU when playing against teams with winning records since he took over.
This Ohio State defense also happens to be a different beast this season. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles started to turn things around on this side of the ball last year, but we’re finally seeing a truly elite version of the Buckeyes defense in 2023. Ohio State has allowed only 20 points through three games this year, and none of the team’s opponents has had 300 or more total yards in a game. There’s no denying that Sam Hartman and a potent Notre Dame offense can change that this week, but Ohio State should be able to get a couple more key stops than its opponent in this one. The big matchup to watch will be how the middle of the Fighting Irish’s offensive line holds up against a big Buckeyes defensive front. I think Ohio State will be able to get into the backfield with relative ease, making it difficult for Notre Dame to get running back Audric Estime going. And that would make life difficult on Hartman and the passing game.
I’m also not sure the Fighting Irish will have the type of home-field advantage they’re hoping for here. The Buckeyes fanbase travels very well and can get super loud, so this could look more like a bowl game.
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Best Bet & Profit Boost
Bet: Ohio State ML (-148 -> +101)
Ohio State would normally be a -148 favorite in this game, but you can get them at +101 by opting into DraftKings Sportsbook’s 50% profit boost. I was actually looking to play the Buckeyes on the moneyline here, but I got priced out of it. So, I ended up putting in Ohio State -3 as a best bet. But this is an incredible option if you’re with me and want to back the Buckeyes to win the game outright, which is way less stressful in a close game. And the maximum wager on this is $50, which is higher than some of the normal boosts you’ll see.
It’s also worth opting into this boost if you’re fading me, or just like the Fighting Irish, in general. With the boost, you can get Notre Dame +3 at +142 odds. Or you can simply get the Fighting Irish to win outright at +186.
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