Tracking the Pod of Gold's prop bets from the 2019 season

On the Pod of Gold, we practice prop bet accountability. On each podcast, we try our hand at predictions in the “Place Your Bets” segment. And we don’t just wipe our hands clean of those predictions afterward.

I keep track of how well we’ve done. Fortunately, we’re not wagering anything because we’ve lost more prop bets than we’ve won.

Since the podcast’s inception in August 2018, 215 prop bets have been settled. Yet somehow Eric Hansen and I can’t seem to create any separation between the two of us. We’ve both answered 100 of those prop bets correctly. It seems unlikely that’s actually true, but I’ve triple-checked the math.

We’re both right (and wrong) almost the exact same amount. I have a record of 100-109-6. Eric has a record of 100-108-7. So Eric has the smallest margin of a lead possible because on one prop bet I had an incorrect answer and Eric ended up with a push.

While our accuracy is below 50 percent overall, we both performed well during the 2019 season. Eric did slightly better with a 55-43-1 performance. I was just behind him at 53-45-1. So either we’re getting better at this prop business or I’m getting worse at setting tough props.

We’re off to a decent start in the offseason, too. Both Eric and I correctly predicted that Notre Dame would name its offensive coordinator before Jan. 20.

If you’d like to look back at all the bets we settled during the 2019 season, I’ve included them all below. We still have 48 prop bets that haven’t been settled from before, during and after the season, but it’s always fun to look back at how right and wrong we’ve been.

You’ll find some answers that were comically wrong. Correct answers are bolded.

Enjoy.

July 31 podcast ahead of Brian Kelly’s first press conference:

• Over/Under 3.5 mentions of the word traits.

Answer: Under (0).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Will Brian Kelly name captains?

Answer: No.

James: Yes. | Hansen: No.

• Over/Under 1.5 questions about Phil Jurkovec.

Answer: Over (2).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 4.5 questions about the linebackers.

Answer: Under (1).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Will Brian Kelly mess up any names of players?

Answer: Yes (referred to John Shannon as Scott Daly).

James: No. | Hansen: Yes.

Results: James (1-4), Hansen (4-1).

Aug. 7 podcast following Notre Dame’s first practices:

• Over/Under: 3.5 interceptions in Kyle Hamilton’s freshman season.

Answer: Over (4).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under 11.5 games played in the regular season.

Answer: Over (12).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 19.5 tackles in his freshman season.

Answer: Over (41).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Will Kyle Hamilton start a game as a freshman?

Answer: Yes (Started the USC game).

James: Yes. | Hansen: Yes.

• Will we get to interview Kyle Hamilton this season?

Answer: No.

James: No. | Hansen: No.

Aug. 7 results: James (3-2), Hansen (4-1).

Aug. 14 podcast during preseason camp:

• Which current Notre Dame starting offensive lineman will be the highest NFL Draft pick?

Answer: TBD.

James: Liam Eichenberg. | Hansen: Liam Eichenberg.

• Which sophomore wide receiver will have the most catches this season?

Answer: Keys (13 catches).

James: Lawrence Keys III. | Hansen: Kevin Austin.

• Over/Under 9.5 catches in September for tight end Brock Wright?

Answer: Under (1 catch)

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under 5.5 freshman will not redshirt this season.

Answer: Under (3 - Kyle Hamilton, Jay Bramblett, Jacob Lacey)

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

Aug. 14 results: James (1-2), Hansen (1-2) with 1 TBD.

Aug. 20 podcast during preseason camp:

• In which game will ND have the greatest margin of victory?

Answer: New Mexico/Bowling Green (Both by 52 points)

James: Bowling Green. | Hansen: Bowling Green.

• Over/Under 28.5 touchdown passes for Ian Book?

Answer: Over (34).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Who will lead Notre Dame in interceptions?

Answer: Hamilton (4).

James: Jalen Elliott. | Hansen: Jalen Elliott.

• Over/Under 4.5 prime-time kickoffs in the regular season?

Answer: Over (5 - Louisville, Georgia, USC, Michigan, Duke)

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Which will be the higher number: Book interceptions or touchdown receptions by wide receivers other than Claypool and Finke?

Answer: Push at 6.

James: Book. | Hansen: Book.

• Over/Under 8.5 missed field goals? Answer: Under (3).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

Aug. 20 results: James (4-1-1), Hansen (2-3-1)

Aug. 27 previewing the Louisville game:

• Over/Under 170 rushing yards for Notre Dame against Louisville.

Answer: Over (230).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 68 percent completion rate for Ian Book.

Answer: Under. (60.9)

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Outside of Chase Claypool and Chris Finke, who will have the most catches for ND?

Answer: Tommy Tremble (3).

James: RB Jafar Armstrong. | Hansen: Armstrong.

• Which linebacker will record the most tackles?

Answer: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (7.5).

James: Asmar Bilal. | Hansen: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

• Over/Under 4.5 sacks for Notre Dame’s defense.

Answer: Under (4).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

Aug. 27 results: James (2-3), Hansen (2-3).

Sept. 4 podcast during first bye week:

• Will Ian Book complete less than 17 passes in any other game he starts this season?

Answer: Yes (Four times).

James: Yes. | Hansen: Yes.

• Over/Under: 6.5 touchdown runs for Jahmir Smith the rest of the season.

Answer: Under (0).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Will Chris Finke record less than 3 receptions in any other game he starts this season?

Answer: Yes (Four times).

James: No. | Hansen: Yes.

• Over/Under 3.5 touchdown catches for Tommy Tremble the rest of the season.

Answer: Under (3).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under 10 questions related to Georgia in your live chat next week?

Answer: Over.

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

Sept. 4 results: James (3-2), Hansen (4-1).

Sept. 10 podcast previewing the New Mexico game:

• Over/Under: 125 rushing yards for Tony Jones Jr against New Mexico.

Answer: Under (17).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 3.5 touchdown passes for Ian Book.

Answer: Over (5).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 3.5 turnovers for ND’s defense.

Answer: Over (4).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• In what quarter will Phil Jurkovec take his first snap?

Answer: Third.

James: Fourth. | Hansen: Fourth.

Sept. 10 results: James (2-2), Hansen (1-3).

Sept. 17 podcast previewing the Georgia game:

• Over/Under: 3.5 catches for Javon McKinley against Georgia.

Answer: Under (0).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 4.5 touches for Avery Davis.

Answer: Under (2).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 150 rushing yards for Notre Dame.

Answer: Under (46).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 230 rushing yards for Georgia.

Answer: Under (152).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Will Julian Okwara record a sack?

Answer: No.

James: Yes. | Hansen: Yes.

Sept. 17 results: James (3-2), Hansen (3-2).

Sept. 24 podcast previewing the Virginia game:

• Over/Under: 2.5 sacks allowed by Notre Dame against Virginia.

Answer: Under (2).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 50 rushing yards for Bryce Perkins.

Answer: Under (-29).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 200 passing yards for Bryce Perkins.

Answer: Over (334).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 110 rushing yards for Notre Dame.

Answer: Over (178).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 5 penalties against Notre Dame.

Answer: Over (9).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

Sept. 24 results: James (2-3), Hansen (3-2).

Oct. 1 podcast previewing the Bowling Green game:

• Over/Under: 600 total yards for ND against Bowling Green.

Answer: Under (573).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 250 rushing yards for ND.

Answer: Under (233).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 300 passing yards for ND.

Answer: Over (340).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 125 rushing yards for Tony Jones Jr.

Answer: Under (102).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• In what quarter will QB Phil Jurkovec take his first snap?

Answer: Third.

James: Third. | Hansen: Fourth.

Oct. 1 results: James (2-3), Hansen (2-3).

Oct. 8 podcast previewing the USC game:

• Over/Under: 15 touches for RB Jafar Armstrong against USC.

Answer: Under (1).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 170 yards rushing for Notre Dame.

Answer: Over (308).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 27.5 pass attempts for Ian Book.

Answer: Over (32).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 2.5 sacks for Notre Dame’s defense.

Answer: Over (4).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 2 forced turnovers for Notre Dame.

Answer: Under (0).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

Oct. 8 results: James (5-0), Hansen (3-2).

Oct. 15 podcast during second bye week:

• Over/Under 7 more sacks this season for Julian Okwara.

Answer: Under (0).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 16 more touchdown passes this season for Ian Book.

Answer: Over (20).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 20 more touches this season for Braden Lenzy.

Answer: Under (17).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under 35 more catches this season for Cole Kmet.

Answer: Under (22).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 45 more tackles this season for Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (82).

Answer: Under (43).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

Oct. 15 results: James (3-2), Hansen (3-2).

Oct. 22 podcast previewing the Michigan game:

• Over/Under: 150 rushing yards for Notre Dame.

Answer: Under (47).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 2.5 sacks allowed by Notre Dame.

Answer: Under (2).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 1.5 turnovers forced by Notre Dame’s defense.

Answer: Under (0).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 225 passing yards for Michigan.

Answer: Under (134).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 5.5 tackles for Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Answer: Over (6).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

Oct. 22 results: James (4-1), Hansen (3-2).

Oct. 29 podcast previewing the Virginia Tech game:

• Over/Under 59 percent completion rate for Ian Book.

Answer: Under (54.7).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under 4.5 catches for Cole Kmet.

Answer: Under (4).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 150 yards rushing for Notre Dame’s offense.

Answer: Under (106).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under 175 yards rushing for Virginia Tech’s offense.

Answer: Under (101).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Will Jafar Armstrong score a touchdown?

Answer: No.

James: Yes. | Hansen: Yes.

Oct. 29 results: James (2-3), Hansen (3-2).

Nov. 5 podcast previewing the Duke game:

• Over/Under: 125 rushing yards for Notre Dame.

Answer: Over (288).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 5.5 catches for Chase Claypool.

Answer: Under (5).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 6.5 tackles for Asmar Bilal.

Answer: Under (5).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Higher number: Chris Finke catches or Jalen Elliott tackles.

Answer: Elliott (6-5).

James: Finke. | Hansen: Elliott.

• Will Jonathan Doerer make a field goal?

Answer: Yes.

James: Yes. | Hansen: Yes.

Nov. 5 results: James (2-3), Hansen (5-0).

Nov. 12 podcast previewing the Navy game:

• Over/Under: 275 rushing yards for Navy.

Answer: Over (281).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 7.5 touches for Jafar Armstrong.

Answer: Over (9).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 49.5 rushing yards for Ian Book.

Answer: Under (31).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under: 10.5 offensive drives for Notre Dame.

Answer: Over (12).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 7.5 tackles for Drew White.

Answer: Over (10).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

Nov. 12 results: James (4-1), Hansen (5-0).

Nov. 20 podcast previewing the Boston College game:

• Over/Under: 225 rushing yards for Boston College.

Answer: Under (128).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 1.5 TDs for Chase Claypool.

Answer: Under (1).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 140 rushing yards for Notre Dame.

Answer: Over (252).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 1.5 turnovers for Notre Dame’s defense.

Answer: Over (2).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

• More tackles: Notre Dame’s 3 starting LBs or the other eight defensive starters combined?

Answer: LBs (22-21).

James: LBs. | Hansen: Others.

Nov. 20 results: James (3-2), Hansen (1-4).

Nov. 26 podcast previewing the Stanford game.

• Over/Under: 250 passing yards for Stanford.

Answer: Over (276).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 300 passing yards for ND.

Answer: Under (255).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Will Ian Book lead ND in rushing?

Answer: No (Jones).

James: Yes. | Hansen: No.

• Over/Under: 44% conversion rate on third down for ND’s offense.

Answer: Under (28.6).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under: 2.5 sacks for ND’s defense.

Answer: Under (2).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

Nov. 26 results: James (0-5), Hansen (2-3).

Dec. 3 podcast previewing the awards show:

• Offensive Newcomer of the Year?

Answer: Jarrett Patterson.

James: Cole Kmet. | Hansen: Cole Kmet.

• Defensive Newcomer of the Year?

Answer: Drew White and Kyle Hamilton

James: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. | Hansen: Asmar Bilal.

• Special Teams Player of the Year?

Answer: Bo Bauer.

James: John Shannon. | Hansen: Jonathan Doerer.

• Offensive Player of the Year?

Answer: Ian Book.

James: Ian Book. | Hansen: Chase Claypool.

• Defensive Player of the Year?

Answer: Khalid Kareem.

James: Khalid Kareem. | Hansen: Kareem.

• Most Valuable Player?

Answer: Chase Claypool.

James: Chase Claypool. | Hansen: Ian Book.

Dec. 3 results: James (3-3), Hansen (1-5).

Dec. 27 podcast previewing the Camping World Bowl:

• Over/Under 285 passing yards for Iowa State QB Brock Purdy.

Answer: Under (222).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 150 rushing yards for Notre Dame.

Answer: Over (208).

James: Under. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 75 receiving yards for Chase Claypool.

Answer: Over (146).

James: Over. | Hansen: Over.

• Over/Under 1.5 rushing touchdowns for Iowa State.

Answer: Under (0).

James: Under. | Hansen: Under.

• Over/Under 1.5 turnovers forced by Notre Dame.

Answer: Over (2).

James: Over. | Hansen: Under.

Dec. 27 results: James (4-1), Hansen (3-2).