Interesting article from cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2015/12/5_reasons_notre_dame_football.html. This poor guy is probably getting run out of town by a Buckeyes mob about now, but he makes some great points. I'm confident in a ND win. I'll be at the NHL Winter Classic at Gillette but I'll be following the game on the Rivals thread so keep the info coming. Be safe tonight, folks, and have a great New Year!
5 reasons Notre Dame football will beat the Ohio State Buckeyes: Defensive lines going in different directions
Notre Dame defensive tackle is part of a Irish defensive line that's getting reinforcements before the Fiesta Bowl.(Michael Conroy, Associated Press)
Email
By Bill Landis, cleveland.com
Follow on Twitter
on December 31, 2015 at 1:01 PM
OHIO STATE VS. NOTRE DAME
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Five reasons the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-2) will the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) in the Fiesta Bowl on Friday in Glendale, Ariz.
1. A new body for Notre Dame's defensive line: Urban Meyer's phone call to Sheldon Day was too late, otherwise Ohio State might not be in this position.
Day, Notre Dame's senior defensive tackle, was a highly recruited player from Indiana in the 2012 recruiting class. He was considered the No. 11 defensive tackle in the country and Meyer, fresh into his new job as Ohio State's coach wanted him.
But it was late in the recruiting cycle, Day was committed to Notre Dame and a few weeks out from enrolling early in South Bend. So Meyer's late phone call to gauge Day's interest went nowhere, Day stuck with his commitment and Ohio State signed Tommy Schutt, the No. 9 defensive tackle in the class.
Schutt won't play in Friday's Fiesta Bowl because of a broken foot. Adolphus Washington, Ohio State's other starting defensive tackle, won't play because of a suspension. Two guys Ohio State signed in the 2012 class won't play, while a third guy Meyer wanted in that class will try to help the Fighting Irish beat the Buckeyes.
"We want to consider ourselves one of the best defensive lines in the country," Day said this week.
This is less about revisionist history and more about two defensive lines heading in different directions before the final game of the season. Does Notre Dame have the better defensive line in this game? And how much does that matter?
Joey Bosa is the best player on either team, so Ohio State obviously has that in its favor. But Day will be in the NFL next year, too. Defensive end Romeo Okwara had nine sacks this year, and the Irish are getting reinforcements.
Defensive tackle Jarron Jones, who missed the entire season with a torn MCL, is expected to play against Ohio State. That's a dynamic talent in the middle of Notre Dame's defensive line that might give the Irish the edge there with Ohio State depleted.
"We missed him this year, it probably would have been an even more special year," Day said. "It would have been a lot more one-on-ones, because Jarron is that double team guy. You have to put two hands on him or he's gonna get a sack because he's so long and powerful. It would have been a totally different year."
The Irish simply having a guy back doesn't mean it's suddenly some unstoppable force that Ohio State's offensive line can't contend with. Don't forget the last time we saw the Buckeyes, the offensive line played its best game of the year.
Notre Dame, though, has a defensive line at full capacity that seems to be more capable of dictating the course of the game, while Ohio State ...
2. Is Ohio State's defensive tackle depth real? Ohio State has said all of the right things about the guys they have replacing Washington and Schutt, but how much of that is true.
It's no secret that Meyer isn't happy with the way Ohio State has recruited defensive tackles. It's such a vital position, and the Buckeyes have missed more often than they've hit in the last four year, or so it seems.
This game against Notre Dame, when Michael Hill, Tracy Sprinkle, Donovan Munger and Joel Hale will have to play and play well for the Buckeyes defensive line to be a factor, will be a good gauge of exactly how well Ohio State has recruited the position.
Floating Bosa out as a replacement inside is fun, but he doesn't expect that to be an every down thing, or really happen at all.
It could be a time for Hill to shine, live up to that billing as a four-star defensive tackle from the south who was supposed to be a transcendent talent up front.
No matter who is in there, it will still be hard to mimic what Washington gave the Buckeyes.
"Adolphus was an elite pass rusher," Hill said. "He can transition to pass like no other three technique that I've ever seen before."
Getting Jones back opens up things for everyone else on Notre Dame's defensive line, while Washington's absence will make it tougher on guys like Bosa and Sam Hubbard.
DeShone Kizer on his running abilityCan Notre Dame's QB win a game with his legs?
3. A quarterback who's not a runner who can run: Running quarterbacks, the few times Ohio State has seen them this year, have caused some problems for the Buckeyes.
But: "I'm not a runner. I've never been a runner, don't plan on being a runner," said Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, who ran for 500 yards this year.
Quarterbacks don't want to get hemmed in as one thing, so Kizer will fight the moniker of being a running quarterback. He really isn't, but he can move well enough that his running should be considered a threat.
The 6-foot-4, 230 pound sophomore from Toledo ran for 128 yards and a touchdown in his last game, a loss to Stanford on Nov. 28. If he has openings against Ohio State, he'll take off, because that's a weakness in Ohio State's defense.
"They plan man on the outside, they in a sense play man on the inside," Kizer said. "It's a zone coverage but they like to lock up and allow their guys to zone in one guy. When you have guys running down the field, backs are turning, that's opening lanes for the quarterback to run. Those opportunities only come if your successful in the run game yourself. I think the offensive line we have we will be successful as we have all year."
Eli Apple on Notre Dame WR Will FullerCan Apple lock down on one of the best receivers in the country?
4. Deep ball to Will Fuller: Fuller, Notre Dame's junior receiver, is one of the best big-play threats in the country with 20 receptions of 20 yards or more. All season, Ohio State has allowed 30 passes of 20 yards or more.
The pass defense, revamped under departing co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash, is the best it's been in Meyer's tenure. The aggressive press quarters coverage Ohio State plays has paid big dividends.
It's hard to imagine Notre Dame beating Ohio State without Fuller being a big part of the offense. Fuller was most limited in a loss to Clemson, but has had six games with 100-plus receiving yards, while averaging better than 20 yards per catch and notching 13 touchdowns.
The good thing for Fuller is he loves the type of defense Ohio State plays.
"Quarters is what I'm looking for, I always have my best games against quarters with the one-on-one coverage outside and no help in the middle of the field," Fuller said. "I think that would be a good matchup for me."
5. Brian Kelly's shot at Urban Meyer: This was supposed to be the second meeting between Kelly, Notre Dame's coach, and Meyer.
Back when Meyer was at Florida, his Gators had a game against Kelly's Cincinnati Bearcats in the 2010 Sugar Bowl. Kelly took the Notre Dame job shortly before the bowl game and opted not to coach Cincinnati.
Florida won 51-24.
"I wasn't in that game, that's why it was out of hand. If I was there it would've been a much different outcome," Kelly said on Wednesday. He polished off the joke with a wink.
Who knows what would've happened if Kelly coached in that game? Kelly doesn't have to wonder, he'll get his shot on Friday.
5 reasons Notre Dame football will beat the Ohio State Buckeyes: Defensive lines going in different directions
Notre Dame defensive tackle is part of a Irish defensive line that's getting reinforcements before the Fiesta Bowl.(Michael Conroy, Associated Press)
By Bill Landis, cleveland.com Follow on Twitter
on December 31, 2015 at 1:01 PM
OHIO STATE VS. NOTRE DAME
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Five reasons the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-2) will the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) in the Fiesta Bowl on Friday in Glendale, Ariz.
1. A new body for Notre Dame's defensive line: Urban Meyer's phone call to Sheldon Day was too late, otherwise Ohio State might not be in this position.
Day, Notre Dame's senior defensive tackle, was a highly recruited player from Indiana in the 2012 recruiting class. He was considered the No. 11 defensive tackle in the country and Meyer, fresh into his new job as Ohio State's coach wanted him.
But it was late in the recruiting cycle, Day was committed to Notre Dame and a few weeks out from enrolling early in South Bend. So Meyer's late phone call to gauge Day's interest went nowhere, Day stuck with his commitment and Ohio State signed Tommy Schutt, the No. 9 defensive tackle in the class.
Schutt won't play in Friday's Fiesta Bowl because of a broken foot. Adolphus Washington, Ohio State's other starting defensive tackle, won't play because of a suspension. Two guys Ohio State signed in the 2012 class won't play, while a third guy Meyer wanted in that class will try to help the Fighting Irish beat the Buckeyes.
"We want to consider ourselves one of the best defensive lines in the country," Day said this week.
This is less about revisionist history and more about two defensive lines heading in different directions before the final game of the season. Does Notre Dame have the better defensive line in this game? And how much does that matter?
Joey Bosa is the best player on either team, so Ohio State obviously has that in its favor. But Day will be in the NFL next year, too. Defensive end Romeo Okwara had nine sacks this year, and the Irish are getting reinforcements.
Defensive tackle Jarron Jones, who missed the entire season with a torn MCL, is expected to play against Ohio State. That's a dynamic talent in the middle of Notre Dame's defensive line that might give the Irish the edge there with Ohio State depleted.
"We missed him this year, it probably would have been an even more special year," Day said. "It would have been a lot more one-on-ones, because Jarron is that double team guy. You have to put two hands on him or he's gonna get a sack because he's so long and powerful. It would have been a totally different year."
The Irish simply having a guy back doesn't mean it's suddenly some unstoppable force that Ohio State's offensive line can't contend with. Don't forget the last time we saw the Buckeyes, the offensive line played its best game of the year.
Notre Dame, though, has a defensive line at full capacity that seems to be more capable of dictating the course of the game, while Ohio State ...
2. Is Ohio State's defensive tackle depth real? Ohio State has said all of the right things about the guys they have replacing Washington and Schutt, but how much of that is true.
It's no secret that Meyer isn't happy with the way Ohio State has recruited defensive tackles. It's such a vital position, and the Buckeyes have missed more often than they've hit in the last four year, or so it seems.
This game against Notre Dame, when Michael Hill, Tracy Sprinkle, Donovan Munger and Joel Hale will have to play and play well for the Buckeyes defensive line to be a factor, will be a good gauge of exactly how well Ohio State has recruited the position.
Floating Bosa out as a replacement inside is fun, but he doesn't expect that to be an every down thing, or really happen at all.
It could be a time for Hill to shine, live up to that billing as a four-star defensive tackle from the south who was supposed to be a transcendent talent up front.
No matter who is in there, it will still be hard to mimic what Washington gave the Buckeyes.
"Adolphus was an elite pass rusher," Hill said. "He can transition to pass like no other three technique that I've ever seen before."
Getting Jones back opens up things for everyone else on Notre Dame's defensive line, while Washington's absence will make it tougher on guys like Bosa and Sam Hubbard.
DeShone Kizer on his running abilityCan Notre Dame's QB win a game with his legs?
3. A quarterback who's not a runner who can run: Running quarterbacks, the few times Ohio State has seen them this year, have caused some problems for the Buckeyes.
But: "I'm not a runner. I've never been a runner, don't plan on being a runner," said Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, who ran for 500 yards this year.
Quarterbacks don't want to get hemmed in as one thing, so Kizer will fight the moniker of being a running quarterback. He really isn't, but he can move well enough that his running should be considered a threat.
The 6-foot-4, 230 pound sophomore from Toledo ran for 128 yards and a touchdown in his last game, a loss to Stanford on Nov. 28. If he has openings against Ohio State, he'll take off, because that's a weakness in Ohio State's defense.
"They plan man on the outside, they in a sense play man on the inside," Kizer said. "It's a zone coverage but they like to lock up and allow their guys to zone in one guy. When you have guys running down the field, backs are turning, that's opening lanes for the quarterback to run. Those opportunities only come if your successful in the run game yourself. I think the offensive line we have we will be successful as we have all year."
Eli Apple on Notre Dame WR Will FullerCan Apple lock down on one of the best receivers in the country?
4. Deep ball to Will Fuller: Fuller, Notre Dame's junior receiver, is one of the best big-play threats in the country with 20 receptions of 20 yards or more. All season, Ohio State has allowed 30 passes of 20 yards or more.
The pass defense, revamped under departing co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash, is the best it's been in Meyer's tenure. The aggressive press quarters coverage Ohio State plays has paid big dividends.
It's hard to imagine Notre Dame beating Ohio State without Fuller being a big part of the offense. Fuller was most limited in a loss to Clemson, but has had six games with 100-plus receiving yards, while averaging better than 20 yards per catch and notching 13 touchdowns.
The good thing for Fuller is he loves the type of defense Ohio State plays.
"Quarters is what I'm looking for, I always have my best games against quarters with the one-on-one coverage outside and no help in the middle of the field," Fuller said. "I think that would be a good matchup for me."
5. Brian Kelly's shot at Urban Meyer: This was supposed to be the second meeting between Kelly, Notre Dame's coach, and Meyer.
Back when Meyer was at Florida, his Gators had a game against Kelly's Cincinnati Bearcats in the 2010 Sugar Bowl. Kelly took the Notre Dame job shortly before the bowl game and opted not to coach Cincinnati.
Florida won 51-24.
"I wasn't in that game, that's why it was out of hand. If I was there it would've been a much different outcome," Kelly said on Wednesday. He polished off the joke with a wink.
Who knows what would've happened if Kelly coached in that game? Kelly doesn't have to wonder, he'll get his shot on Friday.
