Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: The Buckeyes Are the Clear Favorite
The eighth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes face off against the seventh-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the semifinals of the championship game. Ohio State is undoubtedly the better team, with a more talented roster and a clear edge in each position group.
Despite their resilience and sound defensive play, the Irish simply can’t match up against Ohio State’s explosive offense. The Buckeyes have improved their passing game in recent weeks, and their offense is better equipped to take advantage of Notre Dame’s man coverage defense.
Notre Dame’s offense, on the other hand, relies on its ability to use its quarterback, Riley Leonard, to create opportunities. Leonard has been critical in the postseason, using his legs to generate offense. He will likely be asked to make key plays in short yardage and the red zone.
In the matchup, Ohio State is likely to score often, while Notre Dame’s offense is unlikely to produce many points. The Irish’s special teams unit is excellent, but it’s hard to imagine them being able to force the turnovers that have been a key part of their success this season.
Picking the Buckeyes to cover, which is the trend in recent championship games, Ohio State (-8) to win by more than 8 points. For the Over/Under, a good bet is Riley Leonard to have over 14.5 rushing attempts.
