Texas vs Notre Dame Odds & Picks for College World Series

There’s a rich history of NCAA showdowns between the Texas Longhorns (46-19) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish (40-15). It’s more commonplace, however, that these clashes take place on the gridiron rather than the diamond.

The two legendary schools are meeting each other in the College World Series on Friday and are quite clearly coming into this game from opposite directions. Texas is a traditional NCAA baseball power.

Since 2002, the Longhorns have won two CWS titles and played in four CWS finals. Overall, they’ve played in a dozen finals, winning six times. Notre Dame is still seeking a first CWS final appearance.

Oddsmakers are leaning toward the experience school in this game. Texas is set as the -138 favorite. Notre Dame is 11-3 SU in neutral site games this season.

Notre Dame vs Texas Odds

Odds as of June 17th at FanDuel Sportsbook. See available FanDuel Sportsbook promo codes.

First pitch for this game in Omaha is slated for 7pm ET. ESPN is carrying the broadcast.

At odds of -138, the Longhorns are offering an implied probability of victory of 57.98% in the CWS betting line. A successful $10 wager on Texas would deliver a payout of $17.20.

Texas and Stanford are the +450 co-favorites to win the championship of the CWS. Notre Dame is next in this betting market at +450.

Notre Dame vs Texas Probable Pitchers

It’s a battle of left-handers on the mound as the Longhorns and Fighting Irish hook up. Notre Dame is sending lefty John Michael Bertrand, an Academic All-American, to the hill. He’s 9-3 with a 2.67 ERA.

The Longhorns will counter with southpaw Pete Hansen. The third-team NBCWA selection is considered the ace of the Texas staff. He’s 11-2 this season with a 3.40 ERA and .223 OBA.

Both Teams Can Catch the Ball

Texas is the nation’s best defensive team. The Longhorns have committed just 37 errors in 65 games. The .980 fielding percentage of the Irish (41 errors) is 13th in the NCAA.

Notre Dame is also blessed with a deep pitching staff. The Irish come into the CWS with the lowest ERA in the field at 3.95. That ranks 12th in the nation, as does their 1.29 WHIP. Texas pitchers are 23rd in the nation in ERA (4.18) and 17th in WHIP (1.30).

Can Irish Sink the Hispanic Titanic?

Texas slugger Ivan Melendez goes by the nickname the Hispanic Titanic. Melendez leads the nation in home runs (32) and RBI (94). He’s also fourth in on-base percentage (.516).

It should be noted that the reason why Texas and Stanford are now favored is because the original CWS chalk, the Tennessee Volunteers, were ousted by Notre Dame in the Super Regionals.

Up until that series, #1-ranked Tennessee had out-homered opponents 150-57. However, Notre Dame nearly matched the Vols homer for homer, losing the long-ball battle 8-7.

Fighting Irish vs Longhorns Prediction

There’s been more CWS held with Texas (38) than without the Longhorns (37). Not only are those 38 appearances a tournament record, the number is 13 better than second-place Miami. This will be the 152nd CWS game for Texas.

By contrast, Notre Dame is playing in its eighth CWS. This is the school’s first trip to the CWS in 20 years and second in 64 years.

— Notre Dame Baseball (@NDBaseball) June 17, 2022