Gonna predict this right now. This will be the most viewed national championship game ever in the history of the sport.
All the better when tens of millions get to see ND get absolutely eviscerated.
Agreed, two of the biggest alumni bases in the nation and lots of outside interest with the history of these two teams. Outside of the SEC, nobody wanted an SEC team in the game and especially not a Bama vs UGA type of matchup.
Just sayin': There's always room at the Woody hayes Athletic Center for one more. Bring it home boys.
I haven't been back to the WHAC in quite some time, the trophy room renovations look incredible! Next time I am back, no doubt I am stopping by after my regular Buckeye Donuts run. It was pretty awesome the last time I was there, but that was over 10 years ago and this is so much sweeter. Adding another Natty trophy would be amazing. I always loved going through the WHAC and Buckeye Grove, could spend a day in Columbus only doing that and remembering the greats of the past.
So haven't watched a ton of the Domers this year but I don't think they have the athletes in the secondary to do what Texas did. I think they have to try, but I don't think they can do it near as well.
Offensively, well, this isn't the best one OSU has faced. Not by a long shot.
They have their own little redemption and revenge narrative going though so you do have to be mindful of that.
All in all, they are a heavy underdog for a reason. A lot more will have to go right for them than it does for OSU to win.
I haven't watched a ton of ND this year (they seemed to be on when we played almost every week), but I do think they rely on scheme more than better athletes at the skilled positions. If they try to go man on Smith/Egbuka, that ain't going to work...but Freeman is smart enough to not do that imo. If he goes for that out of pride, it would be as idiotic as running it up the middle against ttun every play.
On offense for ND, the WRs are probably the weakest we have faced in the CFP. So taking out the run (both QB/RB, they are admittedly good in that area) is key. I would expect a lot of designed pass plays to the RBs and TEs as well. For whatever reason, I think Styles explodes in this game at LB and spies Leonard frequently (although any of Simon/Downs/Ransom can do it as well and we can get creative). We can run man comfortably in the secondary and try to key on the LOS.
But Freeman against his alma mater and the desire to win cannot be understated, plus they are a solid team without a doubt. Only thing is that our team also wants it really bad and will do everything to win this game. I like us by a two score margin by the end of the game...I can see us absolutely boat racing them like Oregon or Tennessee, but there are enough equalizing factors to keep it close.
