Notre Dame vs. Michigan Football: 5 Things You Need To Know To Bet the Game

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-1) and Michigan Wolverines (1-0) are set to play the first prime-time game in the Big House and the arrival of ESPN's College GameDay makes it even more of a spectacle.

Kickoff from Michigan Stadium is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST and will be nationally televised on ESPN with play-by-play broadcaster Brent Musburger, color analyst Kirk Herbstreit and sideline reporter Erin Andrews bringing you all the action.

Notre Dame opened and remains a three-point road favorite, while the total has held steady at 55.5.

The linesmaker has done his job in creating split action on both sides.

Let's take a look at five things you need to know to bet on this year's installment of one of college football's biggest rivalries.

Turn off the Lights If You're a Michigan Fan

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have won all three previous meetings against the Michigan Wolverines when the two have played at night.

It may not be significant to what happens on the field itself, but it could easily work its way into a major storyline on ESPN during the broadcast.

Turn out the lights—the party's over for Michigan?

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Defense

This unit has been waiting to gain redemption since being torched for 502 yards by Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson's in last year's meeting in South Bend, IN, on Sept. 11. 

Notre Dame has allowed just five offensive touchdowns in its last five games and limited South Florida to just 254 total yards in last week's disappointing 23-20 loss as 10.5-point home favorites.

On the other hand, it could easily turn into a replay of last year.

The "over" is 7-1 in Notre Dame's last eight games when favored away from Notre Dame Stadium by a field goal or less.

Denard Robinson, Michigan QB

Shoelaces flopping in the wind was the call last year as Michigan Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson led the team to a 28-24 upset win over Notre Dame as 3.5-point road underdogs in 2010.

Robinson's 502 yards of total offense when the final whistle blew was the most in school history, as he gained 258 rushing yards and threw for another 244.

His elusiveness, combined with a strong offensive line, will make it tough for the Notre Dame defense to get a hold of him. 

Michigan's front allowed just 11 sacks a year ago and it will be an important factor due to the program switching to a more pro-style offense under first-year head coach Brady Hoke.

Tommy Rees, Notre Dame QB

Sophomore quarterback Tommy Rees is the key to Notre Dame's success against the spread and Michigan is in trouble because of it.

He threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns in nearly bring back the Irish in last week's loss, but head coach Brian Kelly knows that he has a gamer heading into Michigan Stadium.

It also helps that Notre Dame is 6-0 SU and 5-0-1 ATS when playing as a road favorite off a loss.

Brady Hoke vs. Brian Kelly

Notre Dame second-year head coach Brian Kelly has never lost in three previous meetings against Michigan's first-year frontman Brady Hoke. 

None of the contests occurred within this fierce rivalry, but it's still a significant factor in terms of game-planning.  

During a three-year period (2004-06), Kelly handed Hoke three consecutive losses in the Mid-American Conference rivalry featuring the Central Michigan Chippewas and Ball State Cardinals.

The Chippewas ended up with a 90-71 combined scoring advantage in those contests.