Michigan State at No. 3 Notre Dame 2026 Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

Saturday, September 19, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM ET Location: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana TV: NBC / Peacock Tickets: As low as $159 Line: Notre Dame -29.5 Over/Under: 52.5

The Megaphone Trophy rivalry returns Saturday night for the first time since 2017 when unbeaten Michigan State visits unbeaten No. 3 Notre Dame.

Notre Dame is 2-0 after victories over Wisconsin and Rice. The Irish followed their 41-13 win over the Badgers with a dominant 52-0 shutout of Rice, outgaining the Owls 478-128. Quarterback CJ Carr completed 16 of 20 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns despite playing only one series after halftime.

Michigan State is also 2-0 under first-year head coach Pat Fitzgerald. The Spartans beat Toledo 30-20 before handling Eastern Michigan 35-7. Against EMU, Michigan State generated 472 yards, including 258 rushing, while Cam Edwards ran for 152 yards.

Notre Dame opened as a massive 29.5-point favorite, with the total at 52.5.

Top Four Prop Bets

Exact college player props may vary by sportsbook. The numbers below are projected betting targets unless your book lists them.

Prop Bet #1: CJ Carr Over 229.5 Passing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Carr Over 229.5 Passing Yards

• 253 Yards vs Rice
• Four TD Passes
• 14-Game TD Streak

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Carr has been extremely efficient through Notre Dame’s first two games and shredded Rice for 253 yards and four touchdowns on only 20 attempts. His touchdown-pass streak has reached 14 consecutive games.

Michigan State represents a stronger challenge, which should actually keep Carr on the field longer than he was against Rice.

Projected Bet: CJ Carr Over 229.5 Passing Yards

Prop Bet #2: Jordan Faison Over 49.5 Receiving Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Faison Over 49.5 Receiving Yards

• Two TDs vs Rice
• Carr’s Trusted Target
• Big-Game Opportunity

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Faison caught four passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns against Rice, scoring from 25 and 11 yards.

With Michigan State likely concentrating on Notre Dame’s rushing attack, Faison should find favorable opportunities off play-action.

Projected Bet: Jordan Faison Over 49.5 Receiving Yards

Prop Bet #3: Cam Edwards Under 79.5 Rushing Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Edwards Under 79.5 Rushing Yards

• Major Defensive Upgrade
• Notre Dame Front Seven
• Negative Game Script Risk

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Edwards has been excellent, rushing for 98 yards against Toledo and 152 against Eastern Michigan.

But Notre Dame is a significant step up. The Irish held Rice to only 128 total yards and forced four fumble recoveries last week. They also dominated Wisconsin’s rushing attack after halftime in the opener.

If Michigan State falls behind early, Edwards’ rushing volume could decline.

Projected Bet: Cam Edwards Under 79.5 Rushing Yards

Prop Bet #4: Under 52.5 Points

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Under 52.5 Points

• Notre Dame Defense Dominating
• MSU Facing Huge Step Up
• Potential Second-Half Clock Control

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Notre Dame has allowed only 13 points through two games, shutting out Rice and surrendering only three second-half points to Wisconsin.

Michigan State has scored 65 points, but those came against Toledo and Eastern Michigan.

The Irish should control the second half with their defense and running game, making 52.5 slightly too high.

Bet: Under 52.5 Points

Players to Watch

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame: Coming off 253 yards and four touchdown passes against Rice.

Jordan Faison, WR, Notre Dame: Scored twice in the first quarter against Rice.

Boubacar Traore, DL, Notre Dame: Returned a Rice fumble for a touchdown just 14 seconds into the game.

Alessio Milivojevic, QB, Michigan State: Threw for 247 yards against Toledo and 170 with two touchdowns against Eastern Michigan.

Cam Edwards, RB, Michigan State: Has rushed for 250 yards through two games.

Charles Taplin, WR, Michigan State: Led the Spartans with 65 receiving yards against Eastern Michigan.

Keys to the Game

Michigan State

Michigan State must shorten the game with Edwards and avoid obvious passing situations.

Milivojevic has protected the football well, but Notre Dame’s pressure and crowd will present his toughest challenge yet.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame should attack early with Carr before leaning on its rushing game once it establishes control.

Defensively, stopping Edwards on first down would force Michigan State into exactly the kind of long-yardage situations Notre Dame wants.

Betting Prediction

This rivalry has history. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 49-29-1, and the winner has received the Megaphone Trophy since 1949. The teams have not met since Notre Dame’s 2017 victory.

Michigan State is clearly improved and has controlled its first two games, but Notre Dame’s defensive speed and quarterback play represent a massive jump in competition.

The 29.5-point spread is the difficult part. Notre Dame should dominate without necessarily winning by more than four touchdowns.

The Verdict

Expect Michigan State to compete early behind Edwards, but Notre Dame’s defense gradually takes control.

Carr hits several explosive passes, the Irish create short fields, and Notre Dame retains the Megaphone Trophy.

Final Score Prediction: No. 3 Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 13

Best Bet: Under 52.5

Against the Spread: Michigan State +29.5

Moneyline: Notre Dame

Top Player Prop: CJ Carr Over 229.5 Passing Yards

Additional Props: Jordan Faison Over 49.5 Receiving Yards | Cam Edwards Under 79.5 Rushing Yards