Keys to Victory: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

The Week 4 regular season matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame will be the Buckeyes' first marquee game of the year.

Author:
Harrison Reno
Jun 29, 2023 5:40 PM EDT

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Ohio State Buckeyes

Week 4 will be one of Ohio State's first big tests of the regular season, as they will experience their first true road game, traveling to South Bend, Indiana, to play a likely top-25-ranked Notre Dame.

The last time these two teams met, the Buckeyes got the better of the Irish as they rallied in the second half after scoring just one first-half touchdown to win 21-10. It was a defensive showdown last season and could be a repeat as both teams will feature new quarterbacks.

So what is the key to victory for both sides?

Ohio State Wins If...

...The Buckeyes can stop the Notre Dame run game.

As it did in 2022, this game could come down to the defense for either side. Ohio State's defense held Notre Dame to just 10 points, all of which came in the first half. Even after a slow start offensively in the first half, the Buckeyes' offense had a very manageable deficit to overcome in the second half.

In each of the Buckeyes' last three losses, they've given up over 100 yards on the ground. Against Michigan, a season ago, the Buckeyes' struggle to stop the Wolverines' running game forced them to commit more players to stop the run, which left their secondary exposed.

While the Irish have a quarterback in Sam Hartman, who is a much more capable and experienced passer than Tyler Buchner was for them in 2022, the offense will rely on its strong run game boosted by running back Audric Estime.

By taking the run away, Ohio State can make Notre Dame's offense one-dimensional and reliant on creating explosive plays through the air. That pass-leaning offense will allow defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to dial up more blitzes and coverages to help stop the Irish.

Notre Dame Wins If...

... The Irish can create explosive plays in the passing game

Without the return of tight end Michael Mayer, the Notre Dame passing game will look much different than it did just a year ago. The Irish will have to find new playmakers out wide to compensate for the loss of production at tight end with Mayer now in the NFL.

After adding Hartman through the transfer portal this offseason, the Irish have a true pocket quarterback who excels in downfield throws, according to Pro Football Focus. When the Irish struggled to run the football against the Buckeyes' defense last year, they could not make up for it in the passing game, as Buchner completed just 20 percent of his throws after starting the game with eight-straight completions.