ATLANTA — The Submit’s Zach Braziller breaks down the nationwide championship recreation (Monday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN) between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
When Notre Dame has the ball
It’s the nation’s sixth-ranked scoring offense and No. 14 speeding assault (Notre Dame) in opposition to the No. 1 scoring protection and No. 3 speeding protection (Ohio State).
It’s power in opposition to power. However, actually, this showdown might boil all the way down to if the Irish can run the ball in opposition to the Buckeyes’ fierce entrance seven.
Notre Dame doesn’t characteristic a potent passing assault — quarterback Riley Leonard threw solely 19 landing passes all yr and didn’t eclipse 300 yards as soon as all season — and depends on the run to arrange the go.
Ohio State, nonetheless, held Oregon, Texas and Tennessee to a mixed 187 speeding yards in three playoff wins.
Keep watch over Notre Dame left deal with Charles Jagusah, who is anticipated to begin after tearing his proper pectoral in August.
His substitute, Anthonie Knapp, was misplaced to a excessive ankle sprain within the semifinal win over Penn State.
Edge: Ohio State
When Ohio State has the ball
Notre Dame usually performs man protection, trusting its terrific cornerbacks.
The Irish led the nation in defensive passing effectivity, a key to their second-ranked scoring protection.
However they haven’t seen receivers like those belonging to Ohio State. And it’s not simply celebrity freshman Jeremiah Smith (1,227 yards, 14 touchdowns).
Emeka Egbuka (947 yards, 10 TDs) and Carnell Tate (698 yards, 4 TDs) are harmful, too, and the Buckeyes additionally characteristic dynamic operating backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, a tandem that mixed for 1,927 speeding yards and 22 scores on the bottom.
Oregon and Texas, which had consensus top-20 defenses, couldn’t decelerate this explosive unit.
Edge: Ohio State
Particular Groups
Notre Dame’s particular groups performed a serious function within the quarterfinal win over Georgia with a 98-yard kickoff return for a landing by Jayden Harrison and by drawing the Bulldogs offsides on fourth down after initially setting as much as punt.
The Irish wish to be inventive.
Their kickers, nonetheless, missed 11 makes an attempt this yr, though Mitch Jeter got here by within the clutch within the semifinal with a game-winning 41-yarder.
Ohio State’s Jayden Fielding is extra dependable, going 11-for-15 this yr.
Edge: Notre Dame
Teaching
Each Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Ohio State’s Ryan Day are searching for their first nationwide championship.
They’ve every proven the flexibility to take care of adversity properly, Freeman righting the ship after the gorgeous Week 2 loss to North Illinois and Day following the Thanksgiving weekend loss to bitter rival Michigan.
Every coach landed his first head coach job at his present college after initially being given the interim tag. One will attain the mountain prime in Atlanta.
Edge: Even
Gamers who might resolve the sport (non-quarterbacks)
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
A consensus All-American and the Huge Ten Defensive Again of the 12 months, Downs greater than lived as much as the hype as one of many premier gamers to enter the switch portal final offseason.
Nick Saban mentioned final yr that Downs was some of the full gamers he ever coached at Alabama. That’s extremely excessive reward.
RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
It’s onerous to see the Irish being on this recreation with out Love making a serious impression.
The 1,000-yard rusher says he’s wholesome after being slowed by the playoff because of a knee damage, and the sophomore will should be at his greatest on Monday night time.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Ohio State’s freshman record-holder in receptions (71), receiving yards (1,227) and landing catches (14) is a game-wrecker.
Some NFL draft analysts imagine, if eligible, he can be a top-5 choose proper now.
Will Notre Dame actually try and defend him with man protection?
Prediction
The Irish are gritty.
They’re robust.
They’re decided.
However they don’t seem to be practically as proficient as Ohio State.
The Buckeyes can play their “C” recreation and win.
I do count on it to be aggressive — the Irish aren’t getting blown out — but it surely’s troublesome to see an upset.
The Buckeyes are too balanced and too stout up entrance defensively, which can neutralize Notre Dame’s offensive power. Ultimately, they put on down Marcus Freeman’s gutty group within the remaining quarter.
Ohio State 28, Notre Dame 17
