Week 4 of the college football season is loaded with some great games, but the best game of the day will take place in South Bend, Indiana. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to host the Ohio State Buckeyes, and this game will impact the College Football Playoff race in a major way.
Ohio State was in the CFP a year ago, and they look like a team that is going to have a shot to get that done again. The Buckeyes have rolled to a 3-0 start to begin the year, and that has them as the sixth-ranked team in the country.
Notre Dame has moved up to number nine in the current rankings as they have started the season off by winning four straight games. The Fighting Irish have a very difficult schedule this season, and this is going to be the first real big test.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are three-point betting favorites over Notre Dame in this showdown on Saturday night.
Buckeyes Can Be Explosive
The Ohio State offense can put up points in a hurry, and they are averaging 318 yards per game this season through the air. Ohio State will be looking to exploit the Notre Dame secondary in this one, and they have a superstar at wide receiver.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has 14 receptions for 304 yards and three touchdowns this season, and he just continues to make huge plays. Ohio State will have to mix in some rushes in this one, but they always want to strike in a hurry.
The defense for Ohio State is going to have to stand tall in this one, and that is going to be a challenge. This unit has not been tested yet this season, but they must prove that they can stop the run.
Notre Dame is Physical
Notre Dame has also been a great offensive team this season, but most of their best work has been done on the ground. The Fighting Irish are averaging over 200 rushing yards per game, and they just continued to keep the ball on the ground.
Audric Estime has rushed for 521 yards and five touchdowns through five games, and he is going to find the end zone in this matchup. Quarterback Sam Hartman has also had a huge season, and he is going to give his team a boost in this one.
The Fighting Irish have faced some stiff competition through the first four weeks, and that defense has been able to make plays. As long as Notre Dame doesn’t give up big plays, then they will be hard to beat.
Irish Run Away With Win
Ohio State has been extremely impressive so far this season, but they also haven’t faced any real test through the first few weeks of the season. The Buckeyes will be tested on defense in this game, and they just won’t be able to hold up for four quarters.
Notre Dame is going to be running the ball all night long on Saturday, but they can also hit on some big plays in the passing attack. Playing at home is going to give the Fighting Irish a big advantage as well, and that will ultimately allow them to pull this one off.
Bet the Notre Dame Fighting Irish moneyline as they are going to upset the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night.
