It’s old hat for Notre Dame to be among the contenders for the College Football Playoff, but this week’s opponent isn’t used to that. That is why Saturday night’s game at Yankee Stadium is so exciting.

Army is one of three unbeaten teams remaining in CFB. A win over No. 6 Notre Dame (9-1 SU, 7-2-1 ATS), two more regular-season wins and a win in the American Athletic Conference championship game would catapult the No. 19 Black Knights (9-0 SU, 7-1-1 ATS) into the CFP’s inaugural 12-team field.

Notre Dame has done well to bounce back from a Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois. The Fighting Irish have won eight in a row and likely would get an at-large berth to the CFP if they win out.

Notre Dame is a heavy 14.5-point favorite against Army. The over/under is 45.5 points. Here are our Army vs. Notre Dame predictions and best bets.

Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.

Army vs. Notre Dame predictions and best bets

• Notre Dame -14: -110 odds at bet365 Sportsbook
• Notre Dame team total 30.5+ points: -115 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
• Same game parlay – Jeremiyah Love anytime TD + Bryson Daily TD: +156 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook

Let’s give Army credit for a great run to 9-0, not only because the Black Knights are undefeated but also because those players serve our country and deserve our admiration.

Army has a great opportunity to win its last two regular-season games, including the traditional rivalry against Navy, and to win an AAC championship against Tulane. If the Black Knights’ only loss this season is to Notre Dame, it will be a fantastic accomplishment.

It would be an even more fantastic accomplishment for Army to beat Notre Dame as a 14-point underdog, but we don’t see that happening. We don’t even think the Black Knights can cover.

Look at Notre Dame’s history against the US service academies, and you see lopsided score after lopsided score. The Fighting Irish averaged 41.8 points per game in their last four against Air Force and 37.3 points per game in their previous three against Army.

Those games go back over a decade, but a more recent example is Notre Dame’s success against Navy, which it faces every season. The Irish averaged 39.9 points in their last 10 against the Midshipmen, including a 51-14 win this season.

Nothing in recent history or this season suggests Saturday’s game against Army will be different. The Black Knights have a good run defense this season, but they have played one of the weakest schedules in the country (121st out of 134).

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has scored a touchdown in every game this season. Army QB Bryson Daily has scored 21 rushing touchdowns with at least one in seven of eight games. Those trends should continue and if you parlay their anytime TD props at FanDuel you can get a nice plus-money payout.

Army vs. Notre Dame moneyline odds analysis

Why Notre Dame could win as the favorite

Best odds: -650 at Caesars Sportsbook

Notre Dame has all the motivation in the world to win this game convincingly. Even nine games later, the Irish are trying to shake off the stink of that loss to Northern Illinois and show the CFP committee it is worthy of a selection to the playoff.

A win over Army would be Notre Dame’s fourth over a ranked team. The Irish’s season-opening win over Texas A&M is looking better now that the Aggies are close to reaching the SEC championship game.

Notre Dame has a long history of handling the service academy teams, and Saturday’s game should be no different.

Why Army could win as the underdog

Best odds: +500 at BetMGM Sportsbook

This is a huge step up in competition for Army, but what if its third-ranked rushing defense is up for the challenge against Notre Dame? It would require the Black Knights to overcome a size disadvantage in the trenches for 60 minutes, but if anybody can overcome adversity, it’s an Army cadet.

Daily has had an incredible season. He controls this offense, and that will be to Army’s advantage. If the Black Knights can stay on schedule, they can shorten this game and keep it close.

It will take a Herculean effort, but this could be an Army football season that is a step or two above those of the past.