Notre Dame vs Stanford Prediction: Will Notre Dame Cover -38.5?
Early projections. Games after Tuesday night may be updated on Wednesday.
Backdoor Cover’s model projects Notre Dame -38.36 for Stanford at Notre Dame, 0.1 points off the market’s Notre Dame -38.5, and gives Notre Dame a 99% win probability.
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What this tells us
My model is less bullish on Notre Dame than the market is. It still has them winning with near certainty, just not by quite as much as the 38.5-point spread, so there's a small gap between the two on the margin.
The model's side at the current line. It isn't a bet. I only bet a small share of the model's picks.
About this gap
Games with a gap under 3 points covered 51.4% of the time in the backtest (883 games).
| Model vs market | Cover % | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 pts (this game) | 51.4% | 883 |
| 3–6 pts | 53.9% | 616 |
| 6–10 pts | 54.6% | 401 |
| 10+ pts | 53.0% | 181 |
Backtest: every game, weeks 2+ of 2023–25.
Weather at kickoff
No significant weather expected.
How the number is built
The model rates every FBS team on efficiency, adjusted for opponent, and refits every week. It predicts a score, which becomes a spread and a total. Backdoor Cover Picks are the few games I bet.
My track record starts with the 2026 season. Picks are posted before kickoff and graded once the game finishes.
Common questions
Who does the model project to win Notre Dame vs Stanford?
Backdoor Cover’s model projects Notre Dame to win, with a 99% win probability.
What is the model’s predicted spread for Stanford at Notre Dame?
The model projects Notre Dame -38.36 and the market has Notre Dame -38.5, a gap of 0.1 points.
What side does the model favor against the spread?
Stanford +38.5, at the current number. Backdoor Cover Picks may still pass on this game.
Recent meetings
How the model is doing. 142–128–1 against the spread (52.6%), 69–45 on totals (60.5%) and 208–63 straight up (76.8%) on every game this season.
Backdoor Cover Picks
Is Stanford at Notre Dame one of my picks? Subscribers see whether I’m betting it, and if so the side, the line and a recommended unit size.
My track record is on the Track Record page.
Season predictions: Stanford and Notre Dame.
Published Oct 6, 2026. Numbers refreshed Oct 6, 2026.