Pandemic times call for historic measures, and for Notre Dame’s football program that meant joining the Atlantic Coast Conference a season ago. The move to the ACC was temporary, but it did help the Fighting Irish secure a 10-2 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

No. 9 Notre Dame surely hopes its ACC juju sticks around this season, as the Irish open on the road against unranked Florida State on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Seminoles, who lost in this matchup last year, are 7.5-point underdogs on the current college football odds table.

Florida State is coming off three straight losing seasons for the first time since the 1970s, while Notre Dame could be in the midst of its renaissance. Check out our college football picks for this matchup below.

5 Key To Notre Dame vs Florida State

Two QBs to prep for: As of Monday, Florida State listed quarterbacks Jordan Travis and McKenzie Milton as co-starters under center. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly acknowledged that his team will prepare for both quarterbacks, who offer different skills: Travis has elite running ability, while Milton racks up yardage through the air.

Liufau out: Notre Dame had high hopes for junior linebacker Marist Liufau this year, but he’ll miss the season with an ankle injury. Liufau had 22 total tackles (1.5 for loss) and a fumble recovery in eight games in 2020. Fortunately, Drew White (57 total tackles last year) returns and will help fill the void left by second-round NFL draftee Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Recent history favors ND: The Seminoles might have a 6-4 edge in all-time matchups against the Irish, but the two most recent matchups (2018, 2020) have gone to Notre Dame. That includes a 42-26 win in South Bend last year for then-No. 5 Notre Dame.

Defense-less FSU: Last season’s Seminoles finished last in the ACC in sacks (10 in nine games) and third-last in points allowed per game (36).

Both ends of discipline spectrum: Notre Dame was the ACC’s least penalized team in 2020 (53 penalties, 38.3 yards/game), while Florida State was the most penalized (80 penalties, 77.8 yards/game).

Notre Dame vs. Florida State Weather Forecast

Sunday night is shaping up to be a good one at Doak S. Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. It’ll feel humid, but temperatures should be in the low 80s with light wind and zero chance of precipitation.

Notre Dame vs Florida State Moneyline

Considering this is a matchup of a top-10 team against an unranked team, a -300 moneyline seen at sportsbooks and betting sites for the favored Irish is quite compelling. Preseason rankings are often flawed, but that doesn’t change the fact that Notre Dame steamrolled Florida State in their game last year. Go Irish all the way at FanDuel.

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Notre Dame vs Florida State Point Spread

Anything within a touchdown feels like a safe bet for Notre Dame, but betting apps have tacked on an extra half-point, giving some pause about the 7.5-point favorites. Florida State did cover its showdown with Notre Dame last year, but the line was a far juicier 21 points for college football betting fans.

Oh, and that’s one of just two games the Seminoles covered all season. Notre Dame was 6-6 against the spread in 2020, including 2-0 as a single-digit favorite. We like the Irish at WynnBET.

Notre Dame vs Florida State Totals

The most likely path to the Over on 55.5 points is that Florida State’s quarterback duo keeps Notre Dame guessing and the Irish’s returning tailbacks run wild. A more likely outcome, however, is one in which neither Florida State quarterback gets in a rhythm and Notre Dame controls play while grinding the clock. We’ll happily take the Under here at BetMGM .

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