Cincinnati is the Group of Five darling this season, and in games like this against top 10 opponents, casual fans want to see the upset. Yet that does not mean the Bearcats should be two-point road favorites against a Notre Dame team that's 5-1 as a home underdog under Brian Kelly. Perhaps you could argue that the Fighting Irish would overlook an opponent like this, but Kelly respects his former school, as does defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, who knows Bearcats QB Desmond Riddler's tendencies after coaching against him in practice for not one, not two but three years. Notre Dame has proven its mettle, while Cincinnati trailed until the fourth quarter on the road against a far worse Indiana team. This one goes to the Irish.

This one is simple. The best units on both of these teams are their defenses, and neither team has a strong offensive line. That's likely to lead to a sluggish affair in South Bend, and points will be at a premium. I think Notre Dame wins, but I have a lot more confidence in this game being low-scoring.

I would have taken Cincinnati had Irish QB Jack Coan not been ready off an injury suffered last week vs. Wisconsin, but he's apparently good to go. Notre Dame has won 26 straight at home yet is getting points? That's surprising. The Bearcats do come off a bye but also haven't played anyone yet this season. And who will know the UC offense/defense better than Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman? He was the Cincinnati DC last year.

Notre Dame QB Jack Coan is expected to start and the Irish are 5-1 ATS in their last six home underdog situations. Cincinnati is a good team, but the resume shows the Bearcats being outgained by Indiana in a 38-24 win, and thrashing Murray State and Miami-Ohio. The Bearcats have a higher team rating than the Irish on a neutral field but, throw in a home-field consideration and the Irish should be a short home favorite.

Notre Dame received some great performances on defense against Wisconsin last weekend. In this game, the Fighting Irish will get a four-quarter flurry from a team in Cincinnati that views this matchup as a message to the CFB Playoff committee as to why it should be in the playoffs. Also, the Bearcats don't have the QB questions/concerns that Notre Dame has. That'll end up being the difference.