NCAA Profiles – Note Dame’s Heisman Hopeful, Jimmy Clausen

The odds makers had it right this past Saturday when they made the Fighting Irish a 14 ½ point favorite over the Nevada Wolf Pack. Notre Dame covered that twice in their shellacking of Wolf Pack by a score of 35 to 0.

No player on the field was better than Fighting Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen who was 15 out of 18 for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns. Clausen looked like the next coming of Tom Brady back there which makes sense since his coach is former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss.

But was Clausen’s performance against Nevada a sign that more football bets on the Irish in the college football sportsbook is forthcoming this year? Let’s take a look at a few key games for Notre Dame and Jimmy Clausen.

Sept. 12 th – - Notre Dame vs. Michigan – - Michigan was awesome this past Saturday as well. If Clausen is going to put himself into the talk for the Heisman Trophy, he will have to have a good game against the Wolverines in the Big House. Michigan is +3 at home this weekend in this game in the college football sportsbook. Clausen figures to have no problems with that Michigan defense, but I’m not sure if Notre Dame wins this game.

Sept. 19 th – - Michigan State vs. Notre Dame – - This is going to be a big test for Jimmy Clausen as the Spartans always play the Irish tough. I see the odds in the college football sportsbook going one of two ways in this game. Either Notre Dame figures to be a huge favorite, if they thumped the Wolverines a week before then that will be the case, or Notre Dame figures to be a 2 ½ to 3 point favorite. Either way, the Fighting Irish should cover the spread in this game, but Clausen could get into some trouble.

Oct. 17 th – - USC vs. Notre Dame – - Make no mistake, this will be one of the most talked about college football games of 2009. The Trojans could go into this game undefeated. Notre Dame should go into this game undefeated. The Trojans start a true freshman in Matt Barkley. Clausen has been at Notre Dame for feels like a decade. USC will be a huge favorite in the college football sportsbook, but I see this game as a close one because Barkley is a true freshman and Jimmy C. should be ready to impress those pro scouts against one of the best teams in the nation. I don’t know if Notre Dame wins, but Clausen is gong to play exceptionally well in this game.

Jan. 1 st 2010 Sugar Bowl – - Mississippi vs. Notre Dame – - This takes some creativity on my part, but, since I believe that Florida wins the SEC Championship and marches into the BCS Championship game , Mississippi should get the nod and got to the Sugar Bowl. Notre Dame, meanwhile, with only 1, maybe 2 losses on their record, will get the at large bid to face the Rebels down in New Orleans. What will the odds be in the college football sportsbook in an Ole Miss vs. Notre Dame matchup? The Rebels will be favored by 6 ½ points. How will Jimmy Clausen respond? By having one of the worst games of his college football career as Mississippi’s defense will dominate Notre Dame’s offense.

But Jimmy C. will still be a Top 10 pick in next April’s NFL Draft. So, no worries!