Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Boston College Eagles Betting Odds, Football Pick

Notre Dame owns four straight wins in the Holy War rivalry with Boston College, but the Eagles, in keeping some recent meetings close, are 4-1 against the spread over the last five encounters. With College Football Playoff hopes in mind, the Fighting Irish battle BC on the hallowed grounds of Fenway Park Saturday night.

Point spread: The Fighting Irish opened as 16-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 31.8-23.2 Fighting Irish

Why the Notre Dame Fighting Irish can cover the spread

The Irish remain very much alive in the running for a spot in the College Football Playoff following last week's 28-7 victory over Wake Forest. Notre Dame grabbed an early 21-0 lead, with help from a pick-six and a 98-yard run for a touchdown, and cruised-controlled from there, although it came up just short of covering as a 25-point favorite.

The Irish ran the ball 30 times for 171 yards against the Demon Deacons, as freshman Josh Adams, subbing for the injured C.J. Prosise, went for 141, his second straight 100-yard effort.

If the College Football Playoff started today, Notre Dame would be in; however, even if the Irish win their last two games, the cards could very well fall against them because they don't play a conference championship game. So style points count big for Notre Dame.

Why the Boston College Eagles can cover the spread

The Eagles own a six-game losing streak despite some great work from their defense. Most recently, two weeks ago, Boston College lost to North Carolina State 24-8, allowing 351 total yards of Wolfpack offense, 83 of which came on one play. Just before that, the Eagles lost to Virginia Tech 26-10, even though they allowed just 275 yards. And just before that, they held Louisville to 365 yards, albeit in a 17-14 defeat.

Boston College actually leads the nation in total defense, allowing just 237 yards per game, and ranks No. 1 against the run, giving up just 72 yards per game. Three Eagles losses have come by a total of eight points, and earlier this year, they held Florida State—with both Everett Golson and Dalvin Cook—to 217 total yards in a 14-0 defeat. If they could just get some help from their offense.

Smart pick

Boston College has been a disaster offensively this season, but its defense has performed wonderfully in tough circumstances. The Eagles are now starting a freshman at quarterback, but perhaps the bye week will help. Also, the Irish are almost always favored by a few points too many. Take Boston College here, as a festive Fenway Park underdog.

Betting trends

Boston College is 0-4 straight up in its last four games against Notre Dame.

Notre Dame is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games after a win.

The total has gone under in 10 of Boston College's last 11 games after a loss.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.