When Notre Dame faces off against Ohio State in the inaugural final of the 12-team College Football Playoff, the Fighting Irish will aim to end two droughts. The first and foremost thing is that they have had a tenure of 36 years since they last won the title of the game.
But it has also been since 1936 that a Notre Dame team has defeated the Buckeyes. With Ohio State passing through Tennessee, Oregon and Texas on the way to Atlanta, it seems like this edition of the red and brown has reached its peak at the ideal time.
Slowing down the Buckeyes isn’t easy, but it’s certainly not impossible. Three keys could determine Notre Dame’s national championship chances on Monday.
Play like there’s “nothing to lose” in the red zone
Jack Sawyer’s The sack-fumble and ensuing scoop-and-score buried Texas In the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State’s berth in the national championship game was secured in the process. But that moment was just a snapshot of the tremendous red-zone defense the Buckeyes played throughout the campaign.
With only 15 touchdowns allowed on 36 opponent red-zone trips this season, Ohio State’s 41.7% pass yield ranks second among all FBS defenses. The only better red-zone defense was Penn State’s at 41.5%, scoring 17 touchdowns on 41 red-zone opportunities.
Two of those red-zone touchdowns came courtesy of Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Riley Leonard’s three-yard end-zone carry early in the third quarter capped a 75-yard drive and served as the spark the Fighting Irish desperately needed after scoring only three points in the first half.
“You have nothing to lose. You’ve already made it this far,’” is how Leonard described the message from Irish coach Marcus Freeman. “‘As long as you go out and play your game, let the ball fly, you can have no regrets.'”
Jeremiah Love similarly capped a 71-yard drive with the go-ahead touchdown at the goal line. These possessions ended in the kind of emphatic fashion that Notre Dame left on the board in its playoff-opening win over Indiana, which would have made that win even more lopsided.
Against Ohio State, every opportunity to score is precious. The Irish can’t afford to get inside the 20 and not come away with seven points. In this regard, they have everything to lose in the red zone.
Additionally, the message of playing without anything to lose against Ohio State’s talented defense will be key for Notre Dame to capitalize on opportunities.
make takeaway
December 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Joshua Burnham (40) and cornerback Leonard Moore (15) tackle Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Miles Price (4) during the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashor-Imagen Images Notre Dame managed to cause turnovers throughout the seasonThe Fighting Irish are averaging a plus-1.13 turnover margin per game, which ranks fifth in FBS before Monday’s national championship game. They will finish the season with the nation’s highest total takeaways, whether or not they muster any pressure against Ohio State.
Cornerback Leonard Moore said, “It shows what we’re doing defensively…being able to rise to the occasion in big moments and make stops when we need to.”
Coming up with big stops has often been synonymous with causing turnovers for Notre Dame. The magic number could be two against Ohio State.
Simply winning the turnover battle is not a formula to defeat the Buckeyes. For example, after beating Tennessee in the first round of the playoffs they came away with a negative turnover margin.
However, Ohio State had several turnovers in five games this season, two of which came in losses to Oregon and Michigan.
Fighting Irish fans may be upset if their team is ever asked to emulate the rival Wolverines, but Michigan came up with both of its turnovers against Ohio State via Will Howard’s interception, giving the Golden Globes the lead. Provides a blueprint.
Notre Dame’s excellent turnover generation starts with its deep and talented secondary, which features a variety of playmakers who are adept at catching passes. Moore is one of four Irish defenders with multiple selections this season, the quartet being led by Xavier Watts with six.
The line between jumping a route in search of an interception and opening the door for one of Ohio State’s excellent, big-play receivers to make a devastating catch is especially thin. Notre Dame also needs consistent pressure on Howard from its front seven, the third key for the Irish to win a national championship.
New faces stepping up to the biggest spot
Notre Dame defensive lineman Riley Mills (99) is helped off the field during the first round of the College Football Playoff between Notre Dame and Indiana at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend. Photo USA TODAY Sports Images. Injuries are an inevitable reality of football, especially in a season with unprecedented runs coming to an end for Notre Dame and Ohio State on Monday. However, on the way to Atlanta, the Fighting Irish suffered several injuries that could have already derailed their season.
Both lines have been particularly challenged, with the defensive side losing Jordan Botelho in September, talented newcomer Boubacar Traore in October and Riley Mills in the first-round win over Indiana.
Return of Howard Cross III Provided some much needed relief on the interior. Filling in for Mills, veteran Gabriel Rubio played two of his most productive games in Sugar and Orange Bowl wins over Georgia and Penn State.
Now it’s the offensive line’s turn to step up the contributors in the final stretch. Freeman announced that left tackle Anthony Knapp is out. Redshirt freshman Charles Jagusa may be the most important part of the Irish attack against an Ohio State defense that includes edge rusher JT Tuimoloau, who boasts nearly 20 tackles for loss on the season.
