Notre Dame Football: Picking Every 2012 Game on the Board Against the Spread

Earlier this week, Las Vegas doled out its lines for the 2012 college football season, and I'll be going head-to-head against Vegas for each Notre Dame game on the 2012 slate. 

With games against national powers such as USC, Oklahoma and Michigan, the Irish have been expected to finish no better than 8-4 by the national college football media.

For a closer look at that prediction against the spread, take a look through the following slides.

Enjoy.

All lines are courtesy of the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas.

Sept. 1 vs. Navy (at Dublin, Ireland)

Line: -13.5

This is a reasonable spread given that this matchup will be the first of the season for both teams, as well as in a foreign country.

Last season, Notre Dame manhandled Navy by a score of 56-14 in South Bend. Things won't be the same in Dublin, though.

With a full summer to prepare for its most hated rival, Navy will keep things interesting through three quarters, but Notre Dame will pull away in the fourth.

My Pick: Notre Dame 28, Navy 17

Sept. 8 vs. Purdue

Line: N/A

The Golden Nugget Casino did not release a line for Notre Dame's meeting with Purdue on September 8th in South Bend, but I'll go ahead and make a prediction.

The Fighting Irish have owned this series against the Boilermakers as of late, having won four consecutive meetings, including a 38-10 spanking last season in West Lafayette.

That winning streak will continue this season, but the fifth consecutive victory over Purdue won't be easy. Brian Kelly's squad will be recovering from jet lag after the season-opening game against Navy in Dublin, Ireland.

Could it be a trap game? Sure. But I don't see it playing out that way.

My Pick: Notre Dame 31, Purdue 21

Sept. 15 at Michigan State

Line: +3

Remember the last time these two squads met in East Lansing? You should. The Spartans converted a fake field-goal touchdown pass in the final seconds of regulation to beat the Fighting Irish, 31-28.

Don't be surprised if this season's meeting back in East Lansing goes down to the wire again.

Both teams will be breaking in new quarterbacks, which leads me to believe that this one will come down to which team is stronger on the defensive side of the ball.

Advantage: Michigan State.

My Pick: Michigan State 28, Notre Dame 24

Sept. 22 vs. Michigan

Line: -1

Last season's edition of this fierce rivalry provided for one of college football's most memorable games. The Wolverines overcame a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Irish 35-31.

The contest was also the first night game in Michigan Stadium history. Notre Dame countered by making its home game against Michigan its one home-night game of the 2012 season.

Unfortunately, there are two things working against Notre Dame. First, Michigan still has Denard Robinson at quarterback, a guy who has had two of the best games of his career against the Irish. Second, Notre Dame played terribly in its one home-night game last season against USC.

If those two factors don't swing in Notre Dame's favor, Michigan will walk away with its fourth consecutive win over the Irish.

My Pick: Michigan 31, Notre Dame 27

Oct. 6 vs. Miami (at Chicago, Illinois)

Line: -9.5

Yes, this is one of the most historic rivalries in college football. No, it will not live up to that billing this season.

With potentially severe NCAA sanctions hovering above Miami's football program, as well as head coach Al Golden being in the midst of a rebuilding job, the Hurricanes won't stand a chance against Notre Dame.

Also, with Notre Dame having four games under its belt, things on both sides of the ball should be flowing smoothly.

My Pick: Notre Dame 38, Miami 14

Oct. 13 vs. Stanford

Line: -5

If I had told you in 2008 that Stanford would go on to win three consecutive games over Notre Dame, would you have believed me? Probably not, and that's the most shocking part of this rivalry.

Former Cardinal quarterback and current Indianapolis Colt Andrew Luck played a large role in Stanford's three-year run in the series, but he's no longer commanding the offense.

With Stanford breaking in a new quarterback, along with this game being played in South Bend, Notre Dame will notch a W in the win/loss column.

My Pick: Notre Dame 27, Stanford 21

Oct. 20 vs. BYU

Line: -9

The last time these two teams met, Notre Dame was coming off a devastating loss to USC in the "Bush Push" game. Notre Dame took out its frustration against BYU, handing the Cougars a 49-23 loss.

BYU will be making the trek back to South Bend for the first time since that drubbing, but seem to be in much better shape to hand Notre Dame the upset.

This game will go down to the wire, but Notre Dame's superior talent will show itself down the stretch.

My Pick: Notre Dame 24, BYU 17

Oct. 27 at Oklahoma

Line: +11

In only the second true road game for the Irish to this point in the season, the matchup against Oklahoma in Norman will prove to be the most hostile atmosphere Notre Dame sees all season.

However, Brian Kelly and Co. will have a tremendous chance of pulling off the upset of Bob Stoops' Sooners because of the indefinite suspensions and scholarship revocations of Trey Franks, Jaz Reynolds and Quentin Hayes.

Without receivers Franks and Reynolds, quarterback Landry Jones will be forced to find other playmaking threats. But the last time Jones lost a key receiver (Ryan Broyles), his weaknesses were exposed.

My Pick: Notre Dame 35, Oklahoma 31

Nov. 3 vs. Pittsburgh

Line: -12.5

Notre Dame should have no trouble earning a victory over Pittsburgh this season, as the Panthers will be led by first-year head coach Paul Chryst.

It will take some time for Chryst to mold the program into the way he sees fit, which is a downhill, power running game mixed with play-action. For frame of reference, take a look at the 2011 Wisconsin offense, which was orchestrated by Chryst.

Because the pieces aren't in place for that offense to become a reality, Notre Dame will be able to use the contest as a tune-up for the impending showdown with USC on November 24th.

My Pick: Notre Dame 42, Pittsburgh 17

Nov. 10 at Boston College

Line: -12

When Notre Dame last ventured to Chestnut Hill, Mass. in 2010, the Irish were walking tall after a 31-13 victory. The script hasn't changed since then.

The Eagles lost Montel Harris, the school's all-time leading rusher, to a repeated violation of team rules. Also, head coach Frank Spaziani is on the hot seat after his team finished 4-8 last season.

With that turmoil already being experienced inside the Boston College program, any hope for a victory against the Irish has already vanished.

My Pick: Notre Dame 35, Boston College 17

Nov. 17 vs. Wake Forest

Line: N/A

The Golden Nugget Casino didn't provide a line for this game, but I'll give my take on this matchup.

Last season, Notre Dame narrowly escaped the Demon Deacons 24-17 in Winston-Salem. This season's meeting will be played to a different tune, as Notre Dame has the luxury of playing Wake Forest in South Bend.

This contest could potentially be a trap game for the Irish, with USC just around the corner. It is senior day for the Irish, though. I don't see Notre Dame dropping one on that ceremonial occasion.

My Pick: Notre Dame 34, Wake Forest 21

Nov. 24 at USC

Line: +13

If USC enters this contest undefeated, which is widely expected, Notre Dame could play the role of spoiler against the Trojans.

While Notre Dame will be outmatched against Lane Kiffin's squad in Los Angeles, the Irish will keep things interesting through three quarters, but will eventually be worn down in the fourth.

USC's depth and overall talent will show itself late in the game, particularly from the leadership of Heisman Trophy-favorite and Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley.

My Pick: USC 38, Notre Dame 28