For the first time since 1996–and only the 2nd time overall since 1936–Ohio State will be coming to Notre Dame for a football game. For long-time Midwestern powers separated by less than 280 miles it doesn’t seem possible the Buckeyes have rarely visited South Bend but here we are. Back in 1996 the world was witnessing the creation of Java programming, a Cowboys Super Bowl, Tupac releasing his last album, the Bulls winning 72 games, Microsoft releasing Hotmail, the Summer Olympics overtaking Atlanta, A Game of Thrones published, the Taliban capturing Kabul, and the first surface images of Pluto being released.
It’s a far different world today. What isn’t different is Ohio State continuing to play football at a high level as the Buckeyes are arguably the most consistent college football program in the country.
Ohio State (-3) at Notre Dame
Notre Dame Stadium
South Bend, Indiana
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: NBC
Series: 5-2-0 Ohio State
Here are some pretty wild stats on the Buckeyes’ consistency since 1968:
*The best winning percentage in the country
*29 seasons of 10+ wins
*10+ wins in 22 out of their last 28 seasons
*3 seasons at or below .500
*18 major bowl victories
*4 National Championships
*40 seasons with 9+ wins (likely 41 with the 2020 Covid year)
*2 or fewer losses in 18 out of the last 22 seasons
But of course, this is only history and new history will be written on Saturday night inside Notre Dame Stadium. Can the Fighting Irish upset the biggest power in the Midwest under the lights in South Bend? We’ll preview the weekend’s biggest game as the no. 9 Irish host no. 6 Ohio State in primetime on NBC.
Saturday is the annual Irish Wear Green game, featuring this new uniform look.
Ohio State’s Offense
The Buckeyes ended a 6-year relationship with offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson after he took the Tulsa head coach job this off-season. In his place, Ohio State promoted wide receivers coach Brian Hartline to be the new OC. The 36-year old Hartline has been an aggressive recruiter but due to his play-calling inexperience those duties have fallen largely to head coach Ryan Day.
Redshirt sophomore Josh Simmons (6-5, 310) transferred over from San Diego State this summer, after starting 12 games for the Aztecs in 2022, and replaced 6th overall NFL Draft pick Paris Johnson, Jr at left tackle. Next to him, OSU brings back former top 10 overall recruit and junior Donovan Jackson (6-4, 320) who started last year at left guard.
At center, redshirt sophomore Carson Hinzman (6-4, 300) is in his first year of starting. On the right side, 6th-year senior Matthew Jones (6-4, 315) is back starting at guard while redshirt sophomore Josh Fryar (6-6, 313) is the new tackle replacing 4th round NFL pick Dawand Jones from last year.
Ohio State went through a lengthy quarterback battle between former 5-star 2021 recruit Kyle McCord (6-3, 215) and high 4-star 2022 recruit Devin Brown (6-3, 213) with the former officially winning the job. McCord was mediocre in his first career start although he’s been much more effective in the last 2 games against weaker opponents. He’s thrown for 815 yards at 10.7 yards per attempt with 6 touchdowns and 1 interception so far in 2023.
McCord has officially won the quarterback job.
McCord is surrounded by an enviable group of playmakers. Tight end Cade Stover (6-4, 251, seemingly with the Buckeyes since the Tressel era) is back for a 5th year and an underappreciated playmaker with 51 receptions, 670 yards, and 5 touchdowns in his career–the bulk of that coming since the start of 2022. At running back, junior TreVeyon Henderson (5-10, 212) was injured quite a bit last year coming off a freshman All-American season in 2021 and just recently surpassed the 2,000 rushing mark for his career. In many scouting circles, Henderson is the no. 1 running back prospect for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. He’ll be backed up by senior Chip Trayanum (5-11, 233) with great speed and veteran senior Miyan Williams (5-9, 226) who led the team in rushing a year ago.
Notre Dame surely will be focused on stopping junior wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. (6-4, 205) who rose to fame in Ohio State’s bowl game 2 years ago and has been on an absolute tear ever since. Over his last 17 games, Harrison has totaled 98 receptions for 1,638 yards and 20 touchdowns. Most mock drafts have Harrison, Jr. going no. 2 overall to the Arizona Cardinals this spring.
Junior wideout Emeka Egbuka (6-1, 206) is also a 1st round talent and completes a devastating 1-2 duo for the Buckeyes. Coming into the weekend, Egbuka has 95 receptions, 1,509 yards, and 13 touchdowns in his career. Veteran senior Julian Fleming (6-2, 210) offers a nice third option while former Notre Dame recruiting target Carnell Tate (6-2, 191) has emerged as the 4th option in his true freshman season, including 75 yards and 1 touchdown so far.
Ohio State’s Defense
This is the 2nd year for Ohio State under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles who came over from Ohio State right before that Fiesta Bowl which we shall not discuss. A disciple of the 4-2-5 defense there has been talk in Columbus of Knowles dialing back his exotic pressures to clamp down on giving up big plays, but of course recently this season worries are popping about about…you guessed it…lack of pressure and sacks.
There’s no denying that Knowles immediately improved the situation for the Buckeyes upon his arrival. After finishing 2021 with a FEI defense of 41st nationally, he brought Ohio State up to 8th last year and they come into South Bend Saturday night ranked 7th in defense by these metrics. It’s a veteran and well-rounded group all each level that should be the best defense Notre Dame faces in the regular season.
Fifth-year senior linebackers Tommy Eichenberg (6-2, 239) and Steele Chambers (6-1, 232) anchor the middle with a combined 350 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks in their careers.
Eichenberg was 1st-team All-Big Ten last year.
On the defensive line, the Buckeyes had to replace 75th overall NFL pick Zach Harrison on the edge and junior Jack Sawyer (6-4, 265) will team up with fellow junior J.T. Tuimoloau (6-4, 271) for most of the pass rushing, the latter coming off a 1st-team All-Big Ten season. They are both former 5-star recruits from the 2021 class. They will move Tuimoloau inside often and also use sophomore Caden Curry (6-3, 260) and redshirt freshman Kenyatta Jackson (6-5, 258) to get after it, too.
At the tackle spots, expect to see most of the snaps going to redshirt sophomore Mike Hall, Jr. (6-2, 280), redshirt junior Ty Hamilton (6-3, 295), and junior Tyleik Williams (6-3, 320). In last year’s matchup against Notre Dame, Hall notched 2 tackles for loss with a sack. Ohio State may also rotate in Ole Miss transfer and redshirt sophomore Tywone Malone (6-4, 303) as well as redshirt freshman Hero Kanu (6-4, 305).
Notre Dame will expect a lot of defensive backs to see the field for the Buckeyes.
Junior corner Denzel Burke (6-1, 193) is back as a starter with junior Jordan Hancock (6-0, 187) and Ole Miss transfer sophomore Davison Igbinosun (6-2, 190) sharing reps, as well. At their hybrid nickel spot, sophomore Sonny Styles (6-4, 230) has been patrolling with help from senior Cameron Martinez (5-10, 198).
At safety, senior Lathan Ransom (6-1, 210) returns and the Buckeyes will play 3 others including 5th-year senior Josh Proctor (6-2, 205), Syracuse transfer senior Ja’Had Carter (6-1, 203) and freshman Malik Hartford (6-2, 194).
Prediction
I love this because there’s a ton of pressure to win this game from both programs, even this early in the season. For Notre Dame, it’s a lot more self explanatory. The Irish are home underdogs, many are not expecting them to win, fair or unfair there is a stink around the program of losing these national spotlight games, and unless you’re 100 years old no one has seen Notre Dame defeat Ohio State.
Again, it is early in the season but I do think a case can be made this is must-win for Marcus Freeman if Notre Dame wants to elevate itself and change the culture while possibly slotting the team squarely in the 2023 playoff talk.
On the other side, there’s plenty of pressure on Ryan Day which might seem crazy for someone who has a 0.888 winning percentage working on his 5th full season in Columbus. But, I think it’s true!
| STAT | ND | OSU |
|---|---|---|
| FEI | 11 | 1 |
| FEI O | 12 | 4 |
| FEI D | 16 | 7 |
Ohio State fans are crazy and have extremely high expectations that, frankly, most Notre Dame fans under 50 simply cannot relate to right now. Check out the stats in the top of this article and you can understand why a great record with a couple major bowl wins is nice over the last few years but not good enough–especially with back-to-back ugly losses to Michigan.
After last year’s win over Notre Dame, Day signed a contract extension through 2028 with a flat increase in pay up to $9.5 million annually. He also just signed a small bump in pay earlier this year (reported just this week) taking him up nearly another $500,000 in yearly salary. However, the buyout terms aren’t crazy and there are plenty of whispers and reports that if things don’t improve the seat could get awfully hot for Day at Ohio State.
Harrison, Jr. was named the Big Ten pre-season Player of the Year.
3 Keys to Victory
#1 Win the Physical Battle
In last year’s matchup, Fleming didn’t play and star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba left the game early after just 2 catches for 3 yards. And yet, Ohio State controlled the game with an absurd 80.6% rushing success rate and kept Notre Dame down to just over a third of successful runs.
Like last year, this will be a very challenging and physical defensive front for the Irish to run the ball against and on the other side Notre Dame has to limit the effectiveness of Ohio State’s talented running backs. This doesn’t have to be a big matchup win for Notre Dame, and Ohio State could even have a slight edge, but it simply cannot be as lopsided as it was last year in The Shoe.
#2 Overwhelm McCord
Back in February I wrote that this was the shakiest the Ohio State quarterback situation has looked in a long time. Both McCord and Brown were top 50 recruits so it can’t be that bad but with the Buckeyes high standards it feels like a different era coming off consecutive quarterbacks of C.J. Stroud, Justin Fields, Dwayne Haskins, J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones, Braxton Miller, and Terrelle Pryor.
That’s an absurd 14-year run of quarterbacks! If you think about it like a NFL career those players combined to complete 64.7% of their passes for 42,120 yards, 430 touchdowns, and 110 interceptions. A decade and a half of Hall of Fame quarterback play!
All fans will receive LED bracelets for coordinated light show effects through the game.
Maybe Kyle McCord will be next in that long line of great college players, but so far there are worries, and he’s only making his 2nd career start against a Power 5 program this weekend.
Notre Dame absolutely has to find out if McCord is a weakness and target those struggles throughout the game. There’s been a ton of talk this season about a lack of big plays behind the line of scrimmage (Notre Dame comes into the weekend tied for 106th in sacks per game and tied for 118th in tackles for loss per game) but that the Irish defensive pressure has been key to the nation’s top pass defense in terms of passer rating allowed.
This will be a big test for Al Golden & Co. to create a lot of havoc. If they win, I don’t see how it happens any other way than making McCord struggle for long stretches.
#3 Sam Hartman Shines
In many ways, Ohio State’s defense looks very similar to Notre Dame–they are very stout but not really putting up that many sacks and stuffs so far in 2023. This is likely a game where tackling ball carriers for 4 yard-gains instead of 6-yard gains could pile up and make a difference.
I’ll go back to the physicality battle and argue Notre Dame’s untested guards (in this type of elite matchup) have to keep the damage to a minimum. If they can do that, the Irish have a chance to complement Hartman’s passing with a competent or better run game.
This is it. It’s game 5 for Notre Dame, this is going to be the toughest defense of the year, and it’s why Sam Hartman was brought in for these situations. He has to solidly outperform Kyle McCord and Notre Dame has to put together a team performance around him to let him shine.
My head leans Ohio State but the game should be extremely close. My heart says the Irish, at home, under the lights, in all green, find a way and are due a win over the Buckeyes at long last.
I feel like i’m just 2 year the freeman era has been full of these failure to launch moments, where a massive breakthrough is imminent but slips away. A top 10 win and the big bowl game curse again ok state, a potentially absurd recruiting class with dante moore, keon kelly, bowen and edwards, leading in the second half at ohio state, then even the oc search which really quelled offseason hype. This is it. They have to get it done here.
Also i’m getting a lot of georgia 2017 vibes just in that I think both these teams are a lot better than their current ranking. We could look up in november and most of the country won’t realize how big this game actually was at the time. Just have to find a way to be on the winning side
Have to get it done here, or what exactly?
Lou and Devine both won their natty’s in year three, but of course Lou had a much worse cupboard to start with.
I feel like even if we lose 2 of the big three this year, we are still stacking talent. With the recruiting misses you mention above I don’t think we get there next year, even if Angeli or MInchey makes a big jump. But if CJ Carr pans out, he’ll be throwing to Greathouse, Flores, and Staes with Price and Love in the backfield in 2025.
So I think we can take another gut punch and still keep going the right direction.
Notre Dame Fandom
“Of course we can take another gut punch.”
I was raised in a family with Cubs fans on one side and Germans on the other. Taking gut punches, stubbornly, over and over again, is what I born to do.
If there’s a failure to launch, then it’s disappointing, but pretty much a continuation of the Kelly era’s failure to capitalize on high points.
On the one hand, ND was a competent offense away from beating Ohio State in Columbus last year. This year, we have one of the best offenses in the country, the same or better defense, and are at home. By that logic, I’d pick ND, maybe like 31-21.
But this year is not last year. It’s week 4, and I have suspicions about both of ND’s lines and tackling (although I’m starting to think that our defense is designed to contain and hurry the QB rather than sacking him). I can see a scenario where Ohio State jumps out to a 14-0 lead and we’re never able to catch up because every time we’re about to get a stop, we give up a 13-yard run or a penalty. Golden likely isn’t going to get two drives to adjust in this game. Offensively, we’re going to need some big plays to get OSU’s defense to back off. I think we can hit them.
I dunno. Like you, my head says to be ready for disappointment. My heart says 35-31 ND.
You should have gone with your first instinct….ND 31-21.
Golden will earn his paycheck tomorrow confusing and harassing McCord most of the game. The difference in QB experience will be the key and Hartman will be much more likely to be able to put the team on his shoulders should tOSU limit ND’s run game than McCord if tOSU run game is stopped. Also, I think it’s more likely McCord struggles with looks early than Hartman.
The difference will be at QB (like last year?) and I can hear my ND hating friends pointing that out to me next week, “ya but if you didn’t have a 24 year old QB” . HA!
My ND-fan head is trained to be ready for disappointment lol. I want to believe, but I have to see it.
Biggest concern for me is I’m not sure the DLine will be able to get enough pressure on the QB to force him into mistakes or bad decisions. I’m hopeful, but I need to see it actually happen.
QB is the great differentiator and I’d say we have that on our side for this matchup. But is everything else enough? Guess we’ll find out.
Fumble luck swings our way… for the love of all that is holy, we get some damn bounces! Recover a fumble on the ND 18 when OSU is driving before the half. Hartman leads a 2 minute drive for a TD, and boom! Minimum 10 point swing.
31-28 irish. LETS GET THIS W BOYS
Letterkenny knows it
Vince Vaughn is the guest picker tomorrow for GameDay.
Hopefully he’s less hung over than last time. Although I’m sure the students will be wondering who the hell this old guy is.
I really really want ND to win, but my head says that OSU is more talented and has won the past 5(?) against ND. Plus the weakness about OSU that people keep pointing to is their 5 star QB. As much as I hate to say it, my prediction is OSU 38 – ND 24
Was feeling funny about this game. After hearing Mike goolsby the other night on blue/gold podcast, I feel a renewed energy. He also brutally pooped all over OSU, as a program and a fan base, while sipping a hazy IPA, which was pretty cool.
Slightly dissiapointed guest picker wasn’t shane gillis. There seemed to be a grass roots movement to make it happen but ESPN took the safe bet. Oh well
Also, very thorough write up. Way better than anything the athletic does
Freeman needs to avoid going to those Defensive Coordinator tendencies that I know are looming deep within his soul, and stick to the aggressive tendencies he’s shown so far this year. No sitting on the ball near the end of the half. Avoid running on 2nd a long every time. Assume that a score in the 20s = a loss.
I believe in Freeman, and I believe in this team. If the O Line can simply be good, not even great, I think ND wins this game.
ND 34 – OSU 31. The Audric Estime Heisman campaign officially kicks off in full tomorrow.
I am behind that campaign, but if we win I would think Hartman actually has better odds of the Heisman than Estime.
Oh, for sure. Not because of the game, per se, but because it’s basically become a quarterbacks’ award. Only 4 non-QBs have won the Heisman since 2000
Went and rewatched the OSU and Clemson games from last year and after watching the first 4 games this year, all I can say is oh my god was ND’s offense bad. There were plays to be made last year on offense. There were several holes missed by RB’s, deep balls that should have connected, it was a game that was there for the taking by a better offense. ND’s WR’s this year are such a massive upgrade over last year’s OSU game it’s not even funny. Salerno was the man getting deep downfield to give you an idea of the 2022 offense. I know he’s hurt, but 2 true freshman are a more integral piece to the puzzle this year. The defense will be fine. ND needs 3 to 4 timely stops that force punts to win this game. If they get add a turnover then that’s even better.
Current college football games come down to offenses and big plays. On offense, it is critical to continue get huge chunk plays. Not a great recipe to win by grinding out 15 play drives, averaging 5 yards per play. Last year Michigan beat OSU with scoring plays of 69,75,75, and 85 yards. In 2021 Michigan had 6 TD drives. On 4 of those drive they had chunk plays of 37 yards, 55 yards, 31 & 34 yards, and 27 yards.
After the rewatch + the NC State + Freeman’s second year and confidence I think ND wins 42-31. I think it’s going to be a tornado siren to CFB that Notre Dame finally got their coach.
From your lips to God’s ears, man. I can’t let myself be this optimistic, but I was worried about 2017 USC too…
This is the first time in my life that Notre Dame has gone into one of these games vs a OSU type team with the QB advantage
There have certainly been bigger games in my time as a fan but I really think this is the most excited and hyped I’ve ever been for a ND game
There’s no need for some emotional “why not us” type post
Let’s go out there and rip some shit up
I’ve waffled back and forth, but my calculations indicate 38-0 ND.
#RememberThe6PartDeux
Anyone in La Ciudad Sud Bend? How’s the vibe?
Saw lots of ND stuff at O’Hare tonight, doesn’t mean they’re going to the games, though
I can report tons of ND stuff at Midway too – plenty on my flight from DC. Zero Ohio State gear spotted, though obviously that’s all anecdotal (also of course most Ohio State fans coming are presumably driving). Was told by a friend that there was basically zero parking on campus at 2pm so I shouldn’t bother trying to get over there. So I take that as a good sign!
I thought it was the Favela
You’re thinking of Osceola.
Headed that way now. Prayers to the patron Saint of parking availability please.
Wow, all of this is …. so great!!!!!!
damn, I am tanked up on adrenaline and it’s way too early for that (OK, it’s 11:00 am in France, but still, early).
I went and plussed all of you really optimistic folks.. like Eric said, head one way, heart the other, exactly so.
Now as I am one of those over 50 fans, and still have (… still have) the kind of expectations the Buckeye fans have, I am doubling down on that we are due.
And as I have mentioned here before, my dad saw both those wins a 100 years ago, in fact roomed next to Bill Shakespeare of the ’36 game fame. I grew up on those stories, so our recent string of results is abhorrent and really, folks, time to turn the needle pointing back up, and pound the crap out of these guys.
All of you in the stands, leave your vocal cords on the field. Pump it up!
More Noise!
Noise, I don’t think it’s crazy to think that ND’s experience factor at QB doesn’t make winning very much a “head” thing not one of the “heart”. They are weaker this year at QB and we are much stronger than a year ago. As a matter of fact, I think, except for losing Foskey and OG, we are as good or better in every position group, than a year ago.
This is going to be a good one.
“What Tho’ The Odds..” We’re ready!
It’s gameday. I’m ready to get my heart broken. Go Irish.
Anyone know if there is a sports bar in Portland, ME for ND game watches? ND Club of Maine’s Facebook page doesn’t have any recent posts and Google has not been helpful.
sign up for the Peacock app just in case!
This is a post about last week, but the bar mentioned is a likely bet
https://www.fanwide.com/events/64e6329e8ca3e710f875e0bc
I saw that one pop up on posts, too. It must have closed permanently within the last 2 weeks. No luck for me – oh well!
Well, looks like ND fans sold out yet again. Pretty f’ing pathetic…..