Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is likely the perfect man will what will be a challenging task Saturday. Freeman, who is taking over as the coach of the Fighting Irish after Brian Kelly went to LSU, will have to coach his first game in a hostile environment at Ohio State. Check the Notre Dame vs Ohio State Betting Prediction below.
Anyone making a Fighting Irish vs. Buckeyes prediction also likely won’t be betting on Notre Dame.
NCAAF Schedule
The No. 5 Fighting Irish could end up being the biggest underdog ever for a team ranked in the top five since 2000.
Notre Dame previously held the record when it was 18.5-point underdogs against Alabama during the 2020 College Football playoff. Ohio State, ranked second, will also be trying to live up to expectations.
The Buckeyes are trying to navigate the NCAAF schedule and find a way to the CFP after seeing Michigan win the Big Ten last season.
Teams’ Previous Scoreboard
Notre Dame lost to Oklahoma State 37-35 in the Fiesta Bowl last January. The Fighting Irish finished last season 11-2. Ohio State beat Utah 48-45 in the Rose Bowl last January. The Buckeyes finished last season 11-2.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Analysis
Notre Dame
Making college football picks against the spread is difficult when teams are such large underdogs. Notre Dame is a strong football team that will once again be hanging around the top 10 for much of the season.
But anyone that follows Notre Dame closely knows making a Fighting Irish vs. Buckeyes betting prediction on this game will be difficult.
The Fighting Irish will be starting a relative unknown, sophomore Tyler Buchner, at quarterback. Buchner appeared in 10 games last season, but only attempted 35 passes.
He finished last season by throwing for 298 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Buchner does have mobility as he rushed for 336 yards and three touchdowns last season as well.
NFL-caliber Players on Defense
Notre Dame will return plenty of NFL-caliber players on defense. Cam Hart and Clarence Lewis are cornerbacks with NFL aspirations.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish also lured safety Brandon Joseph from Northwestern to help replace Kyle Hamilton, who was drafted last spring.
Ohio State
When it comes to the college football standings, Ohio State’s non-Big Ten schedule won’t impress many people.
The Buckeyes should plow through the rest of their non-conference foes if they can handle Notre Dame like many expect them to.
What makes the Fighting Irish vs. Buckeyes betting prediction so dire is what Ohio State brings back.
CJ Stroud a Heisman Trophy Candidate
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud is a Heisman candidate and lit up the NCAA last season. Stroud passed for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns last season.
Stroud will have plenty of help on the offense as he can lean on running back Treveyon Henderson to carry the load.
Henderson rushed for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Henderson averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
The Buckeyes will have a new defensive coordinator this season in former Oklahoma State assistant Jim Knowles.
Knowles prefers a more aggressive brand of defense and will try to make Ohio State tougher on that side of the ball.
NCAAF Injury Report
Ohio State backup running back Evan Pryor injured his knee during training camp and will be out for the season.
- Ohio State was 6-6-1 against the spread last season.
- Notre Dame was 9-4 against the spread last season.
Fighting Irish vs. Buckeyes Betting Preview
NCAAF odds have Ohio State as a 17.5-point favorite. The Buckeyes are -835 on the moneyline, while Notre Dame is +525. The over/under has been set at 59 points.
Fighting Irish vs. Buckeyes Betting Prediction
Notre Dame vs Ohio State Betting Prediction: The Fighting Irish may find success under Freeman. However, Notre Dame will likely have a lot of difficulties doing so when they are breaking in a brand new starting quarterback in one of the most hostile environments in college football.
Most Profitable Team for this Matchup
This is a game where the Fighting Irish will need to play a nearly flawless game to win.
Ohio State’s offense, built around Stroud and Henderson, will be way too much for Notre Dame to handle. Expect the Buckeyes to cruise to a season-opening win.
NCAAF Pick: Buckeyes -17 (-110)
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