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The Ohio State Buckeyes are in the college football national championship game for the first time since the 2020 season and third time in the College Football Playoff era. Quarterback Will Howard, head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20, marking their ninth meeting overall and first since September 2023.
In an AMA on the college football Reddit, Columbus Dispatch Ohio State beat writer Joey Kaufman, South Bend Tribune Notre Dame beat writer Mike Berardino and USA TODAY Sports Network senior writer Matt Hayes answered questions about who will win the College Football Playoff final and how, parity in the sport, the futures of Day and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and much more. Here is a recap of the AMA, edited for length and clarity.
Who will win the national championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame and why?
Kaufman: It’s hard not to take Ohio State. I like the Buckeyes by two scores. Too many weapons on offense, especially at wide receiver. The defense isn’t yielding much at all. Feels like the team is on a mission. But the Irish held them to 17 and 21 points in their last two meetings, so it won’t be easy to move the ball.
Berardino: I’m picking Notre Dame 33-27 in double overtime. As Riley Leonard says, culture wins.
Hayes: Ohio State, but after what Notre Dame has produced in the playoff — winning games with a stout defense and smart football — I wouldn’t be shocked in the least if the Irish won.
What should Notre Dame’s strategy be for victory against Ohio State?
Kaufman: Pull Ohio State into a rock fight or slog in the same way that Michigan did. The conditions are more favorable to Notre Dame if they force the Buckeyes to play between the hashmarks.
Berardino: Use the play clock on offense, shorten the game and use…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-state-vs-notre-dame-215431243.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2025-01-15 21:54:00
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