tOSU at Notre Dame, Sat. 9/23, 7:30pm EST, NBC

[ScriptOhio]

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Funny how the week leading up to a big game goes.

I went from I hope we don’t lose big, to we could win this but 3 scores if it breaks right and now I’m back to “damn how are we going to stop that running back”.

Seriously though I didn’t realize that kid was averaging over 8 yards a carry. That’s scary shit, and has to be priority #1. We won’t even have the option to get burnt deep if we don’t stop this kid.

 

[BuckeyeBiz]

Flying home from London today, off to South Bend tomorrow! Excited to see a game at ND. Love ‘em or hate em it’s a great venue for CFB. I’m in the camp of this game could bounce a few ways but think our D makes a few plays to give us the edge. The d has taken another step forward and our offense is starting to click. ND is better on O and stepped back on D this year. Opposite of tOSU. 30 - 24 type game and will be a glorious fall weekend! Cheers

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

NO. 6 OHIO STATE AT NO. 9 NOTRE DAME​

How to watch: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Why it matters of Ohio State: This isn’t a make-or-break game for the Buckeyes’ national title hopes. Ohio State can lose on the road against a top 10 team and still make the playoff; the Buckeyes have a history of losing and finding their way into the mix anyway. But I think this game will tell us a lot about both first-year starter Kyle McCord and a defense that, as of right now, ranks second nationally in yards allowed per play. This will be the toughest test McCord faces before a showdown with Penn State in October. As for the Buckeye defense, this the best quarterback they’ll see all year. We’ll know if both are legit this weekend.

Why it matters for Notre Dame: The Irish need this game more than Ohio State. Sure, they could lose and still run the table against a schedule that includes Duke, USC and Clemson. But that’s a tall task for a team that has less wiggle room in the playoff conversation because of its inability to win a conference title. Plus, this is type of game Notre Dame hasn’t won recently. Other than a win last year against an inflated Clemson team and a 2020 COVID win over a Trevor Lawrence-less Clemson, the Irish haven’t beaten a top-five opponent in a very long time. That narrative has the chance to shift Saturday night. A victory over Ohio State would show Notre Dame is a legitimate national title contender.

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Flying home from London today, off to South Bend tomorrow! Excited to see a game at ND. Love ‘em or hate em it’s a great venue for CFB. I’m in the camp of this game could bounce a few ways but think our D makes a few plays to give us the edge. The d has taken another step forward and our offense is starting to click. ND is better on O and stepped back on D this year. Opposite of tOSU. 30 - 24 type game and will be a glorious fall weekend! Cheers

Truly will be an interesting game. It’s a matter of who got more worse from last year? Ohio States offensive line or NDs defensive line. IMO, the ND defensive line got worse between the two.

I think the OSU interior DL should create issues and no offense but if ND is starting an ex OSU 5th rotation DE that’s not great for them.

 

[BigWoof31]

2018 - 7/20, 74 yards, 1 INT
2019 - DNP
2020 - 11/18, 182 yards
2021 - 27/43, 312 yards 1 TD, 1 INT
2022 - 22/29, 337 yards 6 TD's

The above is Sam Hartman's totals against Clemson's defense. Applicable because during his time at Wake, Clemson has the most "OSU like" defense.

I'll give him credit, he clearly improved but 2022 was against the worst Clemson team in a decade.
I'd probably put $20 on Ohio State -3, feels like if you hit this dude in the mouth, he's likely to screw things up.

 

[scarletngray]

Hoping for the Silver Bullets to show up and put on another stellar performance. If so, "turn out the lights, the parties over..."

 

[scarletngray]

Re-watched last years game.
OSU had excellent field position most of the game
Henderson and Williams averaged 6 ypc each. If we can repeat that it's game over.
ND's RBs averaged 3.2 ypc. If we can repeat that it's game over.
Late second half and fourth quarter Bucks took over and the OL wore the ND DL down.
Knowles put together a good game plan but Buchner is an inferior QB to Hartman. It will be interesting to see if he is as aggressive as he was last year.
Hoping that Day doesn't get pass happy and give up on the run to early. I think our three headed monster in the backfield can do damage as the game goes on.

 

[DaveyBoy]

Re-watched last years game.
OSU had excellent field position most of the game
Henderson and Williams averaged 6 ypc each. If we can repeat that it's game over.
ND's RBs averaged 3.2 ypc. If we can repeat that it's game over.
Late second half and fourth quarter Bucks took over and the OL wore the ND DL down.
Knowles put together a good game plan but Buchner is an inferior QB to Hartman. It will be interesting to see if he is as aggressive as he was last year.
Hoping that Day doesn't get pass happy and give up on the run to early. I think our three headed monster in the backfield can do damage as the game goes on.

It would be interesting if Day used the accelerated game clock rules to shorten the game rather than have it shortened on us

 

[ScriptOhio]

Day said Ohio State's offense is "gonna let it rip" on Saturday as the Buckeyes expect a "great challenge" from Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, quarterback Sam Hartman and the No. 9-ranked Irish.

RYAN DAY​

ON THE WESTERN KENTUCKY GAME​

• "We got challenged."
• Day said Ohio State has found several ways to improve after looking over the film from the Week 3 matchup. "We learned a lot from the film. ... There were a lot of different looks coming at us. Have to be able to handle it, which our guys did."
• Day called Austin Reed and Malachi Corley "NFL players" and said the Hilltoppers were talented from top to bottom on offense. "They (were) good offensively. ... Overall, there were some good things learned from it."
• Day added that he was pleased with the number of turnovers Ohio State's defense forced on Saturday. "The four turnovers were big."

ON OHIO STATE'S DEFENSE​

• "That whole defense, these guys have played football."
• Day said Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers were all over the place on Saturday. He also saw strong performances from several defensive veterans across the board. "It pays off to have experience."
• Day said Ohio State's defense has done great "to anticipate as opposed to react."

ON OHIO STATE'S PREPARATION THIS WEEK​

• "Good week of practice. ... It's been a good week. We need a good day today."
• "When it's a 7:30 game, you almost have another half day of preparation."
• Day said Ohio State has benefited from playing in big matchups before when preparing for Notre Dame. "We've been in big games before. We know what these big games are like. We've been in these environments before."

ON MARVIN HARRISON JR.​

• "He's a hell of a player. He really is."
• "Marvin works really hard at what he does... He's been in big games like this. We're gonna need him on Saturday night."
• Day said Notre Dame will probably look to double-team Harrison on Saturday, which means more one-on-one matchups for Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming, Cade Stover, TreVeyon Henderson and others. "Guys are gonna have to win their one-on-ones."
• On what Ohio State's offensive approach will be on Saturday: "We are gonna let it rip."

ON CARNELL TATE'S FUMBLE RECOVERY, HIS PERFORMANCE LAST WEEK​

• "That was one of my favorite plays from the entire game. ... That play was an effort play."
• Day also touted Tate's double-move that led to a touchdown from quarterback Devin Brown.
• Day said Tate has been pleased with Tate's development in his first collegiate season.

ON DENZEL BURKE, DAVISON IGBINOSUN AND JORDAN HANCOCK​

• Day said Ohio State's cornerbacks have been active since spring practices. "They get their hands on balls."
• "Hartman is a very good quarterback. He's gonna challenge these guys."
• "They've had a good week of work. They have a look in their eye."

ON OHIO STATE'S RUNNING BACK ROOM, TREVEYON HENDERSON​

• "I think it's good. They are all three of them a little different."
• "We are gonna need them all this season."
• Day said Henderson's competitiveness has looked great this season. "I like that. I like guys like that. His attitude has been excellent."
• On Chip Trayanum: "We will continue to extend his package as the year goes on."

ON CADEN CURRY​

• On the number one trait Caden Curry possesses: "Physicality."
• Day said Curry's role will continue to grow as the season continues. "He's done some really good things on special teams. He's gonna do some really good things on defense."
• Day said Curry has a high motor that stands out in Ohio State's defensive line room. He also sees Curry as a standout on special teams.

ON NOTRE DAME, SAM HARTMAN​

• "On defense, they do a great job. We will have to do a great job with our execution. ... On the other side of the ball, it starts with Hartman."
• "It's a great challenge for us. Exactly what you would expect from a top-10 matchup."
• When asked to compare Hartman to another quarterback he has faced, Day said, "Maybe Stetson Bennett a little bit." Day's reasons for that comparison were Hartman's "experience and the age" and how Hartman has complete command of the offense.

ON KEENAN BAILEY, OHIO STATE'S TIGHT END ROOM​

• Day praised Keenan Bailey for his work as a first-year full-time assistant. "He's really sharp."
• Day said Cade Stover, Gee Scott Jr. and Joe Royer have been excellent this season. Still, he wants to see the room develop as time continues. "That room will be a weapon for us."
• "It's time for them to compete with competitive excellence."

ON KYLE MCCORD​

• "The team really believes in him now that he is the starter."
• "You can see the confidence building."
• Day said that beating Notre Dame would be "huge" for McCord and the confidence he has built. It would also benefit the team's confidence moving forward. "I know this is a big one for him."

ON OHIO STATE'S OFFENSIVE LINE​

• "They have to take the next step."
• Day was pleased with the offensive line's performance against Western Kentucky. However, he understands that Notre Dame will provide a sterner test for the unit. "I thought they took a step last week, but this will be a big step for them." Day said the offensive line must be great communicators in a hostile road environment.
• "On (Notre Dame's) defensive staff, they have some really good coaches. We have to be ready there."

ON NOTRE DAME'S DEFENSIVE BACKS​

• "They've played well. They are well-coached."
• "These guys are as good as we've seen."
• Day said he looks forward to the matchup between Ohio State's receivers and Notre Dame's cornerbacks on Saturday. He believes Harrison, Egbuka and the Buckeyes' other pass-catchers are up for the challenge.

ON OHIO STATE SCORING DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS LAST WEEK​

• "That's how you flip the scoreboard fast."
• "Defensive scores, you are gaining a possession... you are putting points on the board."
• Day said Tyleik Williams has been great so far in 2023. His defensive touchdown against Western Kentucky "showed the effort" that Williams has put in this season.

ON AUDRIC ESTIMÉ​

• "He leads the country in rushing. He's a good back."
• "They are doing a good job getting him to the second level."
• Day said Ohio State's defense must be disciplined and have sound tackling to keep Estime from finding a rhythm on the ground and keeping the chains moving for Notre Dame's offense.

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

Here's ↑ "Part 1"; and here's ↓ "Part 2":

 

[ScriptOhio]