Notre Dame opens the season at home against Rice. An academic investigation as emerged in South Bend over the last few weeks, which suspended four players indefinetley including wide receiver Davaris Daniels. Everett Golson is back at Notre Dame after academic troubles of his own. He beat out Malik Zaire for the starting quarterback job this month.

Rice is coming off a 10-4 season and lose their leading passer and rusher. Still Rice is competitive and won’t be intimated by playing a big program. Last season they opened at Texas A&M, and took advantage of Johnny Manziel’s first half suspension to keep the game close. They ended up covering the spread despite losing 52-21.

Notre Dame might be distracted by suspensions but also they might have one eye on the following week. They host Michigan in the final regular season game with the Wolverines for the foreseeable future. Notre Dame lost to their bitter rivals last year, and I think they will look over Rice and struggle.

Pick: Rice (+21) over Notre Dame