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Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman studied in the Jim Tressel school of thought. No, I don’t mean the punt being the most important play in football. More like the way to win a game is to control it, by making your opponent earn every yard and minimizing your own mistakes.
That recipe worked for Ohio State in 2002, when the Buckeyes finished their 14-0 national championship season with a thrilling 31-24 double overtime win over Miami in the BCS title game at the Fiesta Bowl.
Ohio State’s Kenny Peterson, left, and Matt Wilhelm kiss the championship trophy after beating Miami 31-24 in in the national championship game on Jan. 3, 2003.
Freeman did not sign with Ohio State until 2004, but Tresselball was still in full force at that point, and Freeman’s Notre Dame team, which takes on OSU in Monday’s national championship game in Atlanta, carries similar DNA to those 2001-2010 Buckeyes. Stout defense. Tough quarterback who can run when needed. Dangerous tailback.
If Ohio State fans should worry about anything, it is that.
Notre Dame does not usually beat itself, meaning it is doubtful the Fighting Irish will shoot themselves in the foot the way Ohio State did against Texas (nine penalties for 75 yards). The Irish ranked third in turnover margin among all FBS teams this season (plus-17), and no team has forced more turnovers than Notre Dame (19 interceptions, 13 recovered fumbles).
I am not suggesting Monday will be the 2003 Fiesta Bowl in reverse, but that championship game classic offers a cautionary tale for the Buckeyes and their fans. Miami was favored by 11.5 points (OSU is favored by 8.5 points) and supposedly was unbeatable. It took double overtime, but Ohio State knocked off the Hurricanes in one of the biggest upsets this century.
These Fighting Irish and 2002 Ohio State are not mirror images. These Buckeyes and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-state-must-guard-against-140206412.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2025-01-17 14:02:00
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