Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Game Predictions
In what could be one of the biggest games of the year for both teams, only one team can leave Notre Dame Stadium with a win as the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
After sending Notre Dame home with a loss in last season's opener, the Buckeyes overcame a 10-7 halftime deficit in the second half as the offense found its spark; they will travel to South Bend, Indiana, for the last leg of the home-and-home series. Can the Buckeyes extend their all-time winning streak over the Irish to six games?
Here are the BuckeyesNow predictions for the game.
Casey Smith, Staff Writer
Last year, Ohio State trailed Notre Dame at halftime and heads all around Ohio Stadium were being scratched. The Buckeyes and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles made adjustments, shutting out Notre Dame in the second half getting a touchdown from former walk-on wide receiver Xavier Johnson.
In the Buckeyes' first true test, Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman has the arm talent to give the Buckeyes' secondary fits — something the Fighting Irish didn't have. However, if Ohio State truly "lets it rip," as Ryan Day said on his radio show, then the Buckeyes should avoid the upset.
Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 24
Caleb Spinner, Staff Writer
If you ask me, last year's meeting between the Buckeyes and Fighting Irish is exactly how it should be every time these two schools take the field: competitive and exciting. Ohio State's rusty offense should be in a better spot this year, considering they will have already played three games by this point rather than none. However, Notre Dame will also have arguably a better quarterback behind center in the form of Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman.
I have to imagine this game will be both high scoring and tight, two things that will combine to make this game a thrilling Week 4 showdown in South Bend.
Ohio State 35, Notre Dame 27
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer
Notre Dame belongs in the "dark horse" chatter of College Football Playoff contenders entering 2023. Last season, the Irish rebounded after a pair of early losses to finish 9-4. Drew Pyne was admirable at quarterback, but was never comfortable in Tommy Rees' offense. Both are gone and perhaps Notre Dame is better for it, now having Sam Hartman and Gerad Parker running the show.
Ohio State's defensive line must be dialed in against Audric Estime on the ground. Hartman, who spent the past four years leading Wake Forest's passing game, seems to be in midseason form and it's not even July. Add in the fact that the Irish are hosting, and an upset alert should be in full swing. It won't happen right now, but don't be shocked in two months if opinions change after Week 1.
Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 20
Harrison Reno, Staff Writer
Not many would've imagined that last year's game between these two schools was going to be a defensive affair. Yet, it turned out that the Buckeyes' defense was crucial to the win keeping the offense in the game until they found to put it together in the second half to rally to a 21-10 win. Could 2023's rematch see a similar output in terms of offensive production?
Possibly, however the Buckeyes' offense provides their best showing in the 63-10 win over Western Kentucky, while the Irish have yet to score less than 40 points in their first four opening games.
Ohio State 42, Notre Dame 21