Ohio State and Notre Dame Square OffMonday Night for National Football TitleBy John ChuhranCaMMVets Media
And then there were two.
As final preparations are made for the last college football game of the season, all eyes are focused on Atlanta where No. 8 seed Ohio State (13-2) will face No. 7 seed Notre Dame (14-1) in the Football Bowl Series (FBS) National Championship Game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET Monday on ESPN TV.
Don’t look at the seedings and think this will be a boring game between two lesser teams. Both squads have played strongly in the 12-team playoffs and a close, hard-fought contest is expected.
Notre Dame dominated its first two games of the Football Bowl Series (FBS), claiming a 27-17 win over Indiana and following with a 23-10 win over Georgia. In the third round, the Fighting Irish had a tougher fight, swapping the lead with Penn State and coming from behind twice to take a satisfying 27-24 triumph.
The win over the Nittany Lions tested Notre Dame’s determination and resilience. The Fighting Irish, who snapped Army’s unbeaten streak on November 23 with a dominant 49-14 win at Yankee Stadium, have struggled with injuries all season, but when starters have been sidelined, substitutes have risen to the occasion. Key starters for the team from South Bend include quarterback Riley Leonard (247-for-372 for 2,606 yards and 19 touchdowns with 8 interceptions, 167 rushes for 866 yards and 16 TD), running back Jeremiyah Love (159 rushes for 1,122 yards and 17 TD) and linebacker Jack Kiser (team-leading 85 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries). Super subs have been QB Steve Angeli (24-for-35 for 268 yards and 3 TD), wide receiver Jaden Greenhouse (36 receptions for 464 yards and 2 TD) and kicker Mitch Jeter.
Greenhouse may be the hottest player for Notre Dame. Though he had just three receptions for 14 yards in the first two playoff wins, he produced career highs in catches (7) and yardage (105 – 99 in the second half) while tying the score on a 54-yard TD reception with just 4:38 left against Penn State. His brilliance a week ago could be the added offensive weapon that Notre Dame needs to top Ohio State; a consistent, dependable, deep threat has been elusive for most of the season for the Fighting Irish. Winning third downs on both sides of the ball (converting 11 of 17 on offense, stopping 7 of 11 on defense against Penn State) will again be crucial if the team hopes to defeat Ohio State.
As strong as Notre Dame is, Ohio State is favored by 8.5 points. Since losing 13-10 to arch-rival Michigan in their final regular season game, the Buckeyes have emerged as the most dominant team in the playoffs, logging a 42-17 win against Tennessee 42-17, following with a 41-21 over top-seeded Oregon, and most recently taking a 28-14 win over No. 3 seed Texas.
While posting impressive points totals have been part of Ohio State’s winning formula, a key defensive play late in the fourth quarter last week secured the win. Trailing 21-14, Texas was marching downfield in what seemed likely to be a game-tying drive. But Ohio State senior defensive end Jack Sawyer seized an opportunity and made a play that will rank with the greatest in program history. With the Longhorns inside the Red Zone, Sawyer swept in from the right side to make a strip sack of the quarterback. The ball took a fortuitous bounce right into Sawyer’s hands and the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defender charged 83 yards for a touchdown that sealed the win.
Two plays earlier, Texas had been in a second-and-goal situation on the Ohio State 1 when another Buckeye – senior safety Lathan Ransom – dashed through a hole in the Texas line and dropped Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner for a seven-yard loss. An incomplete pass put Texas in desperation mode with just over two minutes on the clock, setting the stage for Sawyer’s heroics. Sawyer and Ransom are two of the quiet veterans on the Ohio State defense, but their strong efforts illustrate why their unit is regarded as better than the one from South Bend, Indiana.
The Ohio State offense is led by QB Will Howard (292-for-402 for 3,779 yards and 33 TD with 10 int.). His favorite targets are Jeremiah Smith (71 catches for 1,227 yards and 14 TD, but held to just three yards last week by a nearly constant double coverage by Texas defenders) and Emeka Egbuka (75 catches for 947 yards and 10 TD). TreVeyon Henderson (132 rushes for 967yards and 10 TD) and Quinshon Judkins (183 rushes for 960 yards and 12 TD) head the Buckeyes running game.
Though the defenses of Ohio State and Notre Dame are what got these two teams into the championship game, the indoor nature of the Mercedes-Benz Arena – protection from the brutal cold and snow that certainly impacted play in Sunday’s NFL playoff games – should increase offensive productivity. (cont'd)
And then there were two.
As final preparations are made for the last college football game of the season, all eyes are focused on Atlanta where No. 8 seed Ohio State (13-2) will face No. 7 seed Notre Dame (14-1) in the Football Bowl Series (FBS) National Championship Game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET Monday on ESPN TV.
Don’t look at the seedings and think this will be a boring game between two lesser teams. Both squads have played strongly in the 12-team playoffs and a close, hard-fought contest is expected.
Notre Dame dominated its first two games of the Football Bowl Series (FBS), claiming a 27-17 win over Indiana and following with a 23-10 win over Georgia. In the third round, the Fighting Irish had a tougher fight, swapping the lead with Penn State and coming from behind twice to take a satisfying 27-24 triumph.
The win over the Nittany Lions tested Notre Dame’s determination and resilience. The Fighting Irish, who snapped Army’s unbeaten streak on November 23 with a dominant 49-14 win at Yankee Stadium, have struggled with injuries all season, but when starters have been sidelined, substitutes have risen to the occasion. Key starters for the team from South Bend include quarterback Riley Leonard (247-for-372 for 2,606 yards and 19 touchdowns with 8 interceptions, 167 rushes for 866 yards and 16 TD), running back Jeremiyah Love (159 rushes for 1,122 yards and 17 TD) and linebacker Jack Kiser (team-leading 85 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries). Super subs have been QB Steve Angeli (24-for-35 for 268 yards and 3 TD), wide receiver Jaden Greenhouse (36 receptions for 464 yards and 2 TD) and kicker Mitch Jeter.
Greenhouse may be the hottest player for Notre Dame. Though he had just three receptions for 14 yards in the first two playoff wins, he produced career highs in catches (7) and yardage (105 – 99 in the second half) while tying the score on a 54-yard TD reception with just 4:38 left against Penn State. His brilliance a week ago could be the added offensive weapon that Notre Dame needs to top Ohio State; a consistent, dependable, deep threat has been elusive for most of the season for the Fighting Irish. Winning third downs on both sides of the ball (converting 11 of 17 on offense, stopping 7 of 11 on defense against Penn State) will again be crucial if the team hopes to defeat Ohio State.
As strong as Notre Dame is, Ohio State is favored by 8.5 points. Since losing 13-10 to arch-rival Michigan in their final regular season game, the Buckeyes have emerged as the most dominant team in the playoffs, logging a 42-17 win against Tennessee 42-17, following with a 41-21 over top-seeded Oregon, and most recently taking a 28-14 win over No. 3 seed Texas.
While posting impressive points totals have been part of Ohio State’s winning formula, a key defensive play late in the fourth quarter last week secured the win. Trailing 21-14, Texas was marching downfield in what seemed likely to be a game-tying drive. But Ohio State senior defensive end Jack Sawyer seized an opportunity and made a play that will rank with the greatest in program history. With the Longhorns inside the Red Zone, Sawyer swept in from the right side to make a strip sack of the quarterback. The ball took a fortuitous bounce right into Sawyer’s hands and the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defender charged 83 yards for a touchdown that sealed the win.
Two plays earlier, Texas had been in a second-and-goal situation on the Ohio State 1 when another Buckeye – senior safety Lathan Ransom – dashed through a hole in the Texas line and dropped Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner for a seven-yard loss. An incomplete pass put Texas in desperation mode with just over two minutes on the clock, setting the stage for Sawyer’s heroics. Sawyer and Ransom are two of the quiet veterans on the Ohio State defense, but their strong efforts illustrate why their unit is regarded as better than the one from South Bend, Indiana.
The Ohio State offense is led by QB Will Howard (292-for-402 for 3,779 yards and 33 TD with 10 int.). His favorite targets are Jeremiah Smith (71 catches for 1,227 yards and 14 TD, but held to just three yards last week by a nearly constant double coverage by Texas defenders) and Emeka Egbuka (75 catches for 947 yards and 10 TD). TreVeyon Henderson (132 rushes for 967yards and 10 TD) and Quinshon Judkins (183 rushes for 960 yards and 12 TD) head the Buckeyes running game.
Though the defenses of Ohio State and Notre Dame are what got these two teams into the championship game, the indoor nature of the Mercedes-Benz Arena – protection from the brutal cold and snow that certainly impacted play in Sunday’s NFL playoff games – should increase offensive productivity. (cont'd)
Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love
With that in mind, Ohio State’s Howard has been a more effective passer than Notre Dame’s Leonard. Similarly, Ohio State’s receivers and runners are greater in numbers and have more posted gaudier statistics. That should lead to a win by Ohio State, but there are some intangibles. While Howard relies on other Ohio State players to do the running, Leonard can throw or run – precisely the skill set that has challenged the Ohio State defense. And if Notre Dame’s complicated, NFL-style defense can shut down the deep threats among Ohio State’s receivers, the game should be close.
Ultimately, one or two individual efforts should produce big plays that determine the outcome. Based on recent performances, it seems that Ohio State is better positioned to win the game and claim a seventh national championship.
(-CaMMVets Media-)
Ultimately, one or two individual efforts should produce big plays that determine the outcome. Based on recent performances, it seems that Ohio State is better positioned to win the game and claim a seventh national championship.
(-CaMMVets Media-)