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No. 21 Notre Dame vs Boise State Week 6 Preview
Week 6 of the 2025 college football season features a high-octane matchup between the No. 21 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Boise State Broncos. The game kicks off Saturday, October 4 at 3:30 PM ET from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, and airs on NBC.
Setting the Stage
Boise State arrives at 3-1, fresh off three straight wins over Eastern Washington, Air Force, and Appalachian State. The Broncos have been on a scoring tear, posting at least 47 points in each of those victories. Their lone loss came in their season opener at South Florida.
Notre Dame, now 2-2, is gaining momentum. The Fighting Irish posted back-to-back 56-point performances over Purdue and Arkansas. The offense is rolling, and confidence is building.
For deeper context on each program’s current state, see the NCAAF teams page.
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Injury & Status Report
Notre Dame
- Cornerback Leonard Moore has been upgraded from questionable to probable after missing two games with a high ankle sprain.
- Defensive tackle Donovan Hinish is also listed as probable.
- Special teams contributor Preston Zinter is currently questionable.
- On the out list: Running back Kedron Young (knee) is lost for the season, as is tight end Kevin Bauman (knee)
- Safety B. Logan is also out for the season due to a shoulder injury.
Boise State
- The Broncos have been relatively healthy so far.
- QB Maddux Madsen missed a series last week due to a leg issue, but appears cleared to play.
- RB Sire Gaines was limited in recent practice but is expected to suit up.
- On Boise’s injury listings (per Covers): LB Jake Ripp, LB Marco Notarainni, DL Jayden Virgin-Morgan, DL Braxton Fely, DL Max Stege, DL Michael Madrie, CB Jeremiah Earby, CB A’Marion McCoy, CB Jaden Mickey, S Ty Benefield, S Zion Washington are noted.
These reports suggest Notre Dame is largely intact on offense and in key defensive spots, while Boise State’s depth may be tested if multiple backup defenders are needed.
Quarterbacks & Offensive Firepower
Notre Dame’s offense leans on redshirt freshman CJ Carr, who has posted 1,091 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions in four starts. The Irish ground game features Jeremiyah Love (341 yards, 5 TDs) and Jadarian Price (273 yards, 6 TDs).
Boise State counters with Maddux Madsen (1,129 yards, 9 TDs, 1 INT). He distributes to Latrell Caples, while the backfield of Dylan Riley, Sire Gaines, and Malik Sherrod contributes nearly 800 combined rushing yards this season.
Matchup Dynamics
Notre Dame’s pass protection has held up, giving Carr room to progress through reads. Boise State’s defensive front must disrupt that rhythm early. Their sack and turnover metrics are strong, but depth losses could hamper sustained pressure.
Boise State’s rushing attack tests edge defenders and tackling fundamentals. If Notre Dame misses in gap control or pursuit, the Broncos’ backs can exploit it.
The Irish defense will need to contain Boise’s balanced attack without relying too heavily on any one player. The return of Moore helps the secondary, and Hinish’s presence adds interior strength.
Betting & Market Outlook
Markets currently list Notre Dame at −20.5, with the total set at 63.5. Boise State’s moneyline is +776, while Notre Dame sits at −1299. Both teams have recent success covering spreads and posting big point totals.
For strategies and deeper angles, consult the expert betting guide.
Projection & Lean
The model projects Notre Dame 38, Boise State 21. The Irish have enough offensive consistency and defensive resilience to control phases, but Boise State’s firepower makes this more than a blowout script.
- Spread lean: Boise State +20.5 — the Broncos have enough tempo and balance to threaten a cover.
- Total lean: Over 63.5 — both offenses routinely cross 45+ and defenses here are vulnerable to explosive plays.
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