Irish Breakdown

Urban Meyer Makes Bold National Championship Pick for Notre Dame vs. Ohio State

Just how much of a fight will the Irish give the heavily favored Buckeyes?
Nick Shepkowski|
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and wife Shelley Meyer celebrate after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28.
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and wife Shelley Meyer celebrate after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In this story:

Notre Dame Fighting IrishOhio State Buckeyes

Former Notre Dame wide receivers coach Urban Meyer has made his prediction for the Fighting Irish tilt against the team he led to the 2014 national championship, Ohio State.

Notre Dame sits as more than a touchdown underdog to the 13-2 Buckeyes, with Ohio State currently being listed as a 8.5-point favorite on Fan Duel. Meyer seems to think that number is being a bit generous to Notre Dame.

Urban Meyer National Championship Prediction: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State

Meyer made the following prediction on The Triple Option podcast that he hosts each week:

"Ohio State covers the spread," Meyer said. "I think Notre Dame is going to, the defense is going to keep this thing close... I think this is a low-scoring game at halftime, and I think the Buckeyes walk away in the second half."

Ohio State Defense Presents Very Tough Test for Notre Dame

The Ohio State defense makes a stop against Texas in the Cotton Bow
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (5) is brought down by Ohio State defense as the ball flies over his head during the fourth quarter as the Texas Longhorns play the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Jan. 10, 2025. | Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

I've watched a good amount of Ohio State this season and as the national championship approaches for Notre Dame I keep going back to one thing:

How is Notre Dame going to score against the Buckeyes?

Ohio State allows just 12.2 points per game and 251.1 yards per game, both the best in all of college football.

Whatever Notre Dame did in the second half of the Orange Bowl victory against Penn State that got the Irish to begin to be able to run the ball, it'll have to be able to do better from jump to upset the Buckeyes.

Notre Dame vs. Ohio State: Latest National Championship Betting Odds

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is interviewed by Molly McGrath after winning the Orange Bowl over Penn Stat
(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Latest Sugar Bowl betting odds courtesy of FanDuel:

Point spread: Ohio State -8.5
Total: 45.5
MoneyLine: Ohio State -365, Notre Dame +285

More From Notre Dame on SI

ESPN Computer Model Projects Notre Dame vs. Ohio State National Championship Showdown

Marcus Freeman Took Aim at James Franklin to Notre Dame Football Team Before Orange Bowl Thriller

Jeremiyah Love's Epic Touchdown Run Symbolic of Entire Notre Dame Season

Published
Nick Shepkowski
NICK SHEPKOWSKI

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

Home/Football