Game Thread For the Natty vs Notre Dame, Jan. 20th, 7:30 ET on ESPN

[muffler dragon]

Read all 13 pages of the game thread at irishenvy.com. Wow they are a more confident there than we are here. They seem to admit for the most part that Ohio state has better players at most spots, but that does not deter their confidence at all. So I’ve approximated where their confidence comes from:

30% they have grit and can pound the rock
30% their trust in freeman and his desire to beat his Alma mater
20% Ohio state is overrated and overconfident
15% team of destiny/ gods plan
10% Ryan Day runs like a girl
5% people from Ohio are stupid
5% Ryan day jumped into Jack Sawyers arms
5% they are 12-2-1 against the spread this year

So that’s 120% and is exactly how confident they are in victory.

Don't forget. Leonard is the second coming of Montana.

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Yeah, Cross was getting destroyed by PSUs OL, I'm not sure why he was even still out there....hurting himself and the team.
ND has the worst offense we've played in the playoffs....a QB and WRs that won't consistently be able to threaten deep, you can play man and pin your ears back. A RB that is limited, an OL that is beaten....you can circle the wagons in high school but not for a natty. Ransom and Downs are going to have a freaking heyday.

Watts and Kiser are great, but that just isn't enough for them....their LBs are tough up the middle but get Judkins and Henderson out on the edges and they aren't keeping up.

I think their best bet is to have to win the turnover game at least by 2, and throw some wild coverages at Will....who has struggled to pick up when ends drop back into coverage. He has no reason to make the risky throws like he had to with Texas, just make the smart play.

They’re playing Cross because they don’t have any other options with 99 being out already. They don’t have a ton of options though mainly. Also I agree that their best shot is to play clean, run the ball, win field position, and no turnovers.

 

[Jaxbuck]

They’re playing Cross because they don’t have any other options with 99 being out already. They don’t have a ton of options though mainly. Also I agree that their best shot is to play clean, run the ball, win field position, and no turnovers.

If they are going to play a lot of man, our best shot is #4 and throwing him the goddamned ball

 

[pnuts34]

I don’t know how that can happen given the trash talk he did on the school

Meh, a segment of the fan base wanted Day and Frye fired a month ago. Now they can pretty much walk on water and after Jan 20 theyll be Buckeye legends. Fans forgive easily if it benefits them. And honestly if makes sense financially, and there is a sentiment there wouldn’t be a drop off, the BOT would hire him in a heartbear regardless of the fans feelings. I’m just not so sure he leaves

 

[Captain Buckeye]

If they are going to play a lot of man, our best shot is #4 and throwing him the goddamned ball

Oh I agree that’s our best shot. That’s not their best shot though lol.

I don’t think ND will risk playing man as much as they have though. They don’t have a Morrison this year to take away option 1.

If the first two games with ND tell me anything it’s that they’re going to be a tough out. I imagine their offense will be annoying somehow and their defense will keep them in it.

I expect the bucks to win and frankly to cover as well but I don’t think it’ll be one sided. That said if we can score early then it could get out of hand because ND just doesn’t have that kind of system to come back. Jump them fast with two scores and get them 14-0 and it could get ugly.

That said I think we’ll win 28-17

 

[charlohiottean]

Read all 13 pages of the game thread at irishenvy.com. Wow they are a more confident there than we are here. They seem to admit for the most part that Ohio state has better players at most spots, but that does not deter their confidence at all. So I’ve approximated where their confidence comes from:

30% they have grit and can pound the rock
30% their trust in freeman and his desire to beat his Alma mater
20% Ohio state is overrated and overconfident
15% team of destiny/ gods plan
10% Ryan Day runs like a girl
5% people from Ohio are stupid
5% Ryan day jumped into Jack Sawyers arms
5% they are 12-2-1 against the spread this year

So that’s 120% and is exactly how confident they are in victory.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Meh, a segment of the fan base wanted Day and Frye fired a month ago. Now they can pretty much walk on water and after Jan 20 theyll be Buckeye legends. Fans forgive easily if it benefits them. And honestly if makes sense financially, and there is a sentiment there wouldn’t be a drop off, the BOT would hire him in a heartbear regardless of the fans feelings. I’m just not so sure he leaves

Just sayin': From the perspective of "a segment of the fan base", college football coaches are only as good as their last game.....

 

[pnuts34]

Notre Dame LT Knapp ruled out for CFP title tilt

Notre Dame starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp will miss the College Football Playoff National Championship game after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Irish's Orange Bowl win.

www.espn.com

Notre Dame LT Anthonie Knapp (ankle) out for CFP title game​

Notre Dame starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp will miss the Jan. 20 College Football Playoff National Championship game against Ohio State with a high ankle sprain, coach Marcus Freeman said Sunday.

Knapp suffered the injury in Notre Dame's 27-24 Capital One Orange Bowl win against Penn State. Graduate senior Tosh Baker replaced Knapp in the second quarter.

Freeman also said starting right guard Rocco Spindler, who suffered an apparent ankle injury against Penn State, will try to practice this week. Charles Jagusah replaced Spindler against Penn State.

"We'll see how he progresses the week of practice," Freeman said. "I know he'll give everything he has to make sure he's prepared. As far as the starting lineup, we'll do what's best for our program. We've got to figure that out. We have a week of preparation to make sure we get the right guys to start this game, and we'll see what that is here in the next couple of days."

Freeman said running back Jeremiyah Love, who has been dealing with a right knee injury, is expected to be "full go" against Ohio State, but wide receiver Beaux Collins is still dealing with a calf strain that sidelined him for much of the Penn State game. Collins is second on the team in receptions with 37 for 458 yards, three touchdowns and 30.5 yards per game.

"J-Love is good to go," Freeman said of his leading rusher. "Beaux's still healing. ... He'll work back into practice here the next couple of days, but I hope that as long as he progresses, he'll be good to go for the game. But we've got to make sure that he progresses as we go through this week."

This could be bigger than people realize. That means ND would be left with Greathouse at WR alongside a true sophomore. But because their passing offense is sluggish, there isn’t much difference in stats, so I’d take Burke, Iggy and Matthews To give them a hard day. They will rely heavily on their TE and RBs in the passing game, imo

 

[Buckeye86]

If they are going to play a lot of man, our best shot is #4 and throwing him the goddamned ball

Run pre-snap motion with Smith to determine if they’re in man or zone and also mess with however they’re trying to bracket him. Seems pretty straight forward to me.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Yeah going to be terrified of rat poison from here on out.

Why? Sure it may be rat poison. Also might be delicious. You're dead if it's rat poison no matter how much you enjoy the food so might as well enjoy it. Abstinence isn't an option so go nuts.

 

[OHSportsFan]

This could be bigger than people realize. That means ND would be left with Greathouse at WR alongside a true sophomore. But because their passing offense is sluggish, there isn’t much difference in stats, so I’d take Burke, Iggy and Matthews To give them a hard day. They will rely heavily on their TE and RBs in the passing game, imo

They’ve been throwing a lot to that lacrosse player Faison in the slot. Collins and Greathouse have barely done anything the last 3-4 games. Greathouse had one good game this weekend.

The little guy is usually a matchup nightmare, makes the tough catches in traffic. Good football player.

It’s Faison and Mitchell (TE). By far the least talented receiving group the Bucks have faced this post season.

 

[ScriptOhio]

I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now.

Lou Holtz Picks Notre Dame to Win National Championship, Ryan Day Hasn’t Spoken with Holtz Since 2023 Callout​

Holtz did speak with Rob Oller of The Columbus Dispatch this weekend and said he’s picking Notre Dame to beat Ohio State when the two teams reunite in next Monday’s national championship game. While he acknowledged Ohio State’s status as the favorite, he thinks his beloved Fighting Irish will find a way to win.

“When you look at it, Ohio State is the best team," Holtz said. "They have an explosive offense and their defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) has done a tremendous job. They’re something like a nine-point favorite. However, in a one-game, winner-take-all, anything can happen. I like Notre Dame’s culture. They’re very physical, but they have to keep it close by forcing Ohio State’s offense off the field.”

 

[System_id]

Lou Holtz Picks Notre Dame to Win National Championship, Ryan Day Hasn’t Spoken with Holtz Since 2023 Callout​

Holtz did speak with Rob Oller of The Columbus Dispatch this weekend and said he’s picking Notre Dame to beat Ohio State when the two teams reunite in next Monday’s national championship game. While he acknowledged Ohio State’s status as the favorite, he thinks his beloved Fighting Irish will find a way to win.

“When you look at it, Ohio State is the best team," Holtz said. "They have an explosive offense and their defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) has done a tremendous job. They’re something like a nine-point favorite. However, in a one-game, winner-take-all, anything can happen. I like Notre Dame’s culture. They’re very physical, but they have to keep it close by forcing Ohio State’s offense off the field.”

YOU HEAR THAT RYAN DAY?! LOU HOLTZ SAID YOUR CULTURE SUCKS!

Why? Sure it may be rat poison. Also might be delicious. You're dead if it's rat poison no matter how much you enjoy the food so might as well enjoy it. Abstinence isn't an option so go nuts.

Well when you put it like that

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

On this date in Buckeye football history.....



Bring another trophy home next Monday too.