NFL
By: Greg Rector
The Fighting Irish bring a 4-0 record into this second matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes this game is being played in South Bend, Indiana. Much like last year’s game, I feel the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play a solid game. The difference between the team last year and this year’s Notre Dame team is Sam Hartman. Let’s look at this game.
Notre Dame Offense
The four-headed running backs for Notre Dame along with the great play from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive line will be a nightmare for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State hasn’t faced an offensive line the likes of which the Fighting Irish will throw out at them this Saturday night.
The Buckeyes will be tested by the Notre Dame running game however they also face Sam Hartman who has been spectacular and highly effective for the Fighting Irish. If Hartman finds his receivers this could be a long night for the Buckeyes. Chris Tyree and Tobias Merriweather for 76 and 75-yard TD pass catches against Central Michigan and both passes were simply beautiful throws.
The other reason I believe the Notre Dame Fighting Irish can beat this Buckeyes team this year is the new play clock rules. As long as the Fighting Irish can move the ball on the ground I believe they can win this game because the Buckeyes won’t be able to have as many plays for their wide receivers namely Marvin Harrison Jr.
Audric Estime is such a big and brutal running back and this Ohio State defense hasn’t faced anyone like him at all this season. Along with Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, the tackle spots for Notre Dame will be ready for the Buckeyes defense. The Buckeyes are going to be tested unlike the opening game of last season which saw Notre Dame attempt to beat the Buckeyes without a decent QB and Sam Hartman is playing like the veteran he is.
The other running backs namely Jadraian Price and Jeremiyah Love had very few touches against Central Michigan and both will be needed against Ohio State Buckeyes.
Notre Dame Defense
This is where this game comes down to for me. If the Notre Dame defense plays well against the running game for Ohio State and limits TreVyon Henderson and Chip Trayanum the Buckeyes will be forced to throw the football. Kyle McCord is a decent quarterback defense for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has limited the wide receivers no matter who they have faced this season. Cam Hart was the big name in the transfer portal the Fighting Irish grabbed the other transfer portal in safety Thomas Harper has been spectacular for Notre Dame.
Am I saying the Irish won’t be affected by Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka? I feel this Notre Dame front seven is playing great football as well. How will Kyle McCord play against the Irish defense is going to be the difference in this game. Unlike CJ Stroud who woke up from his early game struggles against the Fighting Irish last year if McCord struggles to find his wide receivers, it will be thanks to Xavier Woods Cam Hart, and Thomas Harper.
JD Bertrand will be back for Notre Dame and he will be back in the middle of the linebacking corps for Notre Dame. That means the four linebackers will all be back in place, unlike the game against the Chippewas.
I have seen the Buckeyes offensive line and I’m sorry Buckeyes fans I am not sold on them as of yet. They don’t get off the ball very well from the snap and unless they improve in that area the Notre Dame defense will have a very good chance at knocking off the Ohio State Buckeyes.
My Prediction
As I have often stated until Notre Dame addressed the quarterback position along with the back end of their secondary this Fighting Irish would continue to win 10 games but not be mentioned in the CFB playoff hunt. Since both sides of that question appear to have been answered I have Notre Dame beating the Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 27 to 17.
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