The first of three big-time games for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is upon us. Quick, someone tell Michigan you can schedule tough games in the regular season. The 6th-ranked Buckeyes roll into town along with ESPN College Gameday for a top-10 matchup. Notre Dame has not had the best of luck in these games in recent years, but the Irish haven’t had an offense quite like the one they’ll unleash on the Buckeyes tomorrow in years, either. Can the Irish pull off the upset?
What Worries Me This Week
Interior of Notre Dame OL. The inside of Notre Dame’s offensive line hasn’t been great this year yet, with two new starting guards. It’s been a process so far with Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan. They’ve had their moments, but they’ve also struggled at times. Ohio State isn’t necessarily a scary defense, but they are very good and will test the Irish offensive line – specifically Coogan and Spindler.
To win this game, Notre Dame must run the ball better than they did a year ago when the Buckeyes shut down the Irish ground attack. Having an elite quarterback this year should make it easier to run since the Buckeyes did not have to respect the passing of Tyler Buchner. They have to respect Sam Hartman. Still, it could be tough sledding early on for Notre Dame on the ground.
Too much red in the stands. Why do all of these big-time games have to be against teams who wear red? As a color, it just pops in the stands and on TV so well that even if there isn’t a Georgia or Nebraska-style takeover, the red still stands out. I know Notre Dame has implemented some policies to limit how much red we see in the stands, but it’s impossible to control the secondary ticket market. It’ll be upsetting if there’s a lot of red in the stands tomorrow.
One big difference between this game and the Georgia game is Notre Dame was coming off a 4-8 record in 2016, and interest in the program was low. That’s not the case this year, with the Irish in the top 10 and riding some good momentum with Marcus Freeman leading the Irish to a 13-2 mark in his last 15 games after last year’s rough start.
What to Watch For
Notre Dame’s pass rush. Just like Notre Dame has to run the ball to win, they need to pressure Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord. This is McCord’s first career start on the road, and thus far, he has not been tested during his brief time as the starter for the Buckeyes. Notre Dame has to put pressure on him and force some mistakes.
So far this year, the Irish pass rush has graded well in some advanced analytics but hasn’t gotten home much at all. That has to change on Saturday night. The Irish have just 6.0 sacks in four games.
There have been some games in recent years where the Irish defensive line has risen to the occasion. I’m specifically thinking about the 2014 Florida State and the 2018 Stanford games. The entire line played possessed against the Seminoles that night, but Jarron Jones specifically played out of his mind. In that Stanford game, it was Jerry Tillery who had a monster game. Can Someone on the Irish defensive line do the same against the Buckeyes.
Designed plays for Chris Tyree. The transition of Chris Tyree to wide receiver has been a success so far this year. In limited snaps, Tyree has just 8 receptions, but they’ve covered 216 yards and two went for touchdowns. He’s had a 20-yard reception in every game. It still hasn’t felt like there have been many designed plays for him.
With his speed and athleticism, I’m looking for Notre Dame to show some new wrinkles in the offense with Tyree on Saturday night. That could be some jet sweeps, some new bubble screens, designed crossers. Something.
Sam Hartman under pressure. Ohio State isn’t going to sit back and dare Hartman to beat them. They are going to put pressure on him. When kept clean, Hartman has a 91.3 rating. When pressured, that drops to 42.4. He’s been pressured on 22 dropbacks. His completion percentage on those is just 50% compared to a 73.7% rate when kept clean. He still has 2 TDs to 0 INTs when pressured, but Ohio State isn’t going to sit back and let him have time.
Just like with the running game, the interior of the line will have to hold up for Notre Dame to keep Hartman clean. The backs will also have to do a better job in pass protection, as all of the Irish backs have struggled in that department.
Players to Watch
- Javontae Jean-Baptiste – Notre Dame needs a DL to step up, and who better than the Ohio State transfer?
- Cam Hart – All eyes will be on the Benjamin Morrison – Marvin Harrison Jr. matchup, but that could mean more opportunities for Cam Hart.
- Jaden Greathouse – He’s been quiet the last couple of weeks. It feels like it’s about time for another big game from the freshman.
- Marist Liufau – After being one of the highest-graded linebackers in all of college football through the first three games, he had a rough outing last week. Look for a bounce back.
- Holden Staes – With Mitchell Evans back, Staes won’t have to block as much this week and could build on his breakout performance against NC State.
- Blake Fisher – He’s been OK this year, but Notre Dame needs him to be great on Saturday night.
- Howard Cross – He had a great game against Ohio State last year and has been Notre Dame’s most steady DL this year.
Prediction Time
I’ve waffled on this all week long. In this week’s podcast, I said this was not one of those big games where I go into thinking that Notre Dame needs to be absolutely perfect to win all the 2020 ‘Bama playoff game. This isn’t that. Ohio State is very, very good, but they aren’t unbeatable, and this isn’t the same Notre Dame team from the last few years because the Irish finally have an elite quarterback in Sam Hartman. I think we will be in for a great one on Saturday night, with Hartman getting the Irish on the board early and then Audric Estime churning out yards on the ground in the end.
Notre Dame 31, Ohio State 27
As NBC is now the network for the Big Ten, Notre Dame should consider the pimps at ESPN. They might get better press
I hate that I love this team.
If Notre Dame is in the Big Ten some calls go differently. But it is what it is.
Ryan Day is now an enemy!
Coaching did clinch up in last 4 mins.
Al Golden has been mostly great but he was out to lunch on OSU’s last drive.
Same Ole same ole…..coaching lost thar game! Players played well! Play not to lose last 4 min the only rush 3 on 4th and 17…..great cal……AL! Hack!
A crap way to lose. It was time to win a game of this caliber. Unfortunately, a very similar script played out.
Man, you have to think if Kelly was still on the sideline, this would have been a win
Hilarious
If you’re not trolling you are ignorant. If you are trolling, go elsewhere.
If Kelly was on the sideline with Rees calling the plays, it wouldn’t have been close like it seldom was with Kelly on the sidelines
That post from Keith was definitely sarcasm directed at David. Fishing expedition. It was kinda funny actually.
Hartman looked lost at times. Drew Pyne wouldn’t have lost this game. lmao
The last 2 years Michigan has beaten Ohio State with their lines. Their oline has opened holes and allowed them to rush for over 300 yards 2 years ago and over 250 yards last year. Their d line stuffed Ohio States running game and were able to pressure Shroud with their front four Hutchinson and the dtackle were highly disruptive. I don’t know if Notredames lines can do that. If they can I believe they will win.
Won’t predict but will say what worries and what I like
I am worried about the offensive line somewhat. If they show up physically and mentally then it’s Irish all the way.
I am worried about officiating. Specifically holding calls agains Notre Dame and non holding calls agains Ohio State. That will tip the balance.
I like the D-Backs all around and I like the mental acuity of the linebackers.
Offense will run if the line holds up.
I like this coaching staff as both the OC and DC seem to be able to adjust. Same with the OLine coach. That hasn’t happened in prior years.
I’ll be watching the Oline, holding/non holding from the officials, and adjustments by the coaches.
Getting ready to board for my flight back to Central coast of CA from Kona, Hawaii. Great Pre Plan B
Excellent
Monty Burns, original patron of male sports clubs named “Athletics”
ND 38 OSU 28
Hartman to throw 3 or 4 td passes. Estime to go over 150 yards rushing.
Irish defenses bends but doesn’t break.
OSU last td will be in garbage time.
Go Irish!
Someone will win easily 41-17. Be sure to tune in. If the Irish play mistake free and don’t have to deal with an ACC officiating crew they’ll have a chance to walk away late from OSU. Mistakes and poor officiating will favor OSU.
Doesn’t the visiting team bring their own conference refs?
Have we forgotten Big 10 refs from the past?
Meanwhile…..
Drew Pyne will start against USC.
How many series does he get before being benched for Conover?
O/U is 3.5
Very few if any former ND QBs who have transferred to other schools have had success on the field at those schools. The list is quite long.
Hendrix
Lovechio
Kiel
Golson
Zaire
Jurkovic
Buchner
Pyne TBD
I’ve probably missed a few but Hartman way better than anybody from the above list including Book and Rees who aren’t on the list.
“If I had a ticket I’d find a way to get there. I sure as hell wouldn’t sell it.”
Find a way to get there, and buy a ticket.
Money does talk…and it always speaks the truth.
I’m having a hard time imagining why any Irish fan would think about selling one of their coveted seats for this game. I know, money talks and all. But this is the best ND team we’ve fielded in a long time IMO, and this is our first real test of the season, it’s a game many people in the CFB world are lazer focused on. If I had a ticket I’d find a way to get there. I sure as hell wouldn’t sell it.
Hopefully we don’t see a sea of red. If we do, that will tell us a lot about the state of ND fandom these days. I’d like to think the team has a real shot this year at going all the way. And I’m not the only one. If ND fans are apathetic to the point they’d sell their tickets to the opposition in a year like this and in a game like this, then maybe ND’s best years really are behind us for good. It would tell us that when it comes to ‘Irish Fans’ that money is more important. “Yeah, I’m an Irish fan, until you flash some green in front of me.” After all, does anyone think if the game was at OSU that you’d see a sea of green there?
Let’s hope the Irish faithful come through. In a game like this, where inches may matter, that fan support may be the thing that gets them over the finish line.
Go Irish!
I don’t believe it’s alums selling their tickets. I think it’s faculty, other employees, and locals who have had season tickets in their families for decades. If the university wants to stop the ‘red outs” , they need to identify the sellers.
Could easily sell mine for $1500 apiece but this one should be epic. Go Irish!
Last minute problems with my damn plane….
I could’ve just sold mine for $4,500, but I don’t want some rando sitting betwen my supermodel girlfriend and Fr. Jenkins.
They sell their tickets because they are at Notre Dame to do their research, complertely disinterested in football from birth, which is fine, but also pretty disinterested in teaching undergrads, which is not fine.
South Bend is electric! Locals expect a win.
I believe our guys will make plays all over the field.
GO IRISH 5-0!
BGC 77 82
I would say this is the first of 4 big games… .IF, and that’s a big IF, the Irish beat OSU, Duke is a huge trap game. Really hoping ND will execute on all cylinders for this game and beat them soundly. They are due for a win against this team. History in big games however since the Holtz Era has not been on their side however but the juices of past Irish glory still resound in me. GO IRISH!