Virginia vs Notre Dame prediction & betting tips - Nov. 16 | College Football Week 12

The Virginia Cavaliers are on the road to play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on NBC.

Virginia (5-4, 3-3 ACC) is coming off a 24-19 win over Pitt to snap its three-game losing streak. Notre Dame (8-1) is coming off a 52-3 win over Florida State.

---

Virginia vs Notre Dame: Preview

Virginia is a 23.5-point underdog, while the over/under is set at 50.5 points. The Cavaliers picked up an upset win over Pitt to snap its losing streak. Virginia needs one more win to be bowl-legible but has tough games against Notre Dame, SMU and Virginia Tech.

Heading into the game, Virginia coach Tony Elliott says playing Notre Dame is a tall task.

“The message is the same," Elliott said, via ON3. "The process is the same from a preparation standpoint. Hopefully, the guys have confidence after last week that they know what they need to do to prepare, but just excited about the opportunity.

“There hasn’t been any success. I told the guys today we haven’t won against Notre Dame. We’ve set out all season to be a different team doing different things, and to be different you have to do different. So all we can ask for is an opportunity but it’s going to take our best game and it’s going to take just a commitment to the process.”

Virginia is led by Anthony Colandrea who has thrown for 1,948 yards, 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Kobe Pace has rushed for 442 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Cavaliers are led by Kam Robinson, who has four sacks, and Jonas Sanker, who has 69 tackles.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, is firmly in a spot to make the playoffs as long as they win out. The Fighting Irish are coming off a blowout win over Florida State and end the year with Army and USC which is two tough opponents.

Despite the Fighting Irish being a big favorite, coach Marcus Freeman says that they are treating the game like the Super Bowl.

“Every game, this game’s the Super Bowl,” Marcus Freeman said, via On3. “No matter if we were in the Playoff hunt or not. It’s the same mindset we have. You get 12 of these guaranteed opportunities. I told the team in the locker room, we’re guaranteed one more opportunity here in Notre Dame Stadium for these seniors.

"To think about anything other than that, you’re doing this game a disservice. They work 300 days a year for 12 guaranteed opportunities no matter if this game determines if we make the playoffs or not.”

Notre Dame is led by Riley Leonard, who's thrown for 1,575 yards for nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He's also rushed for 609 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Defensively, Xavier Watts has three interceptions; Rylie Mills has six sacks, while Jack Kiser has 49 tackles.

This game will likely be closer than the spread, as Virginia is still a tough out. But Leonard should be able to have success running the ball to lead Notre Dame to the win.

Prediction: Notre Dame 37, Virginia 17

---

Virginia vs Notre Dame: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Virginia +23.5 (-110)

Tip 2: Over 50.5 (-110)

Tip 3: Riley Leonard 65 rushing yards (-135)