Can Notre dame Keep Up in the National Championship?
The stage is set: Ohio State, heavily favored, clashes with Notre Dame under the shining lights of Monday night’s National Championship. while the Buckeyes are projected to win by a considerable margin, there are strategic avenues Notre Dame could explore to make this a more competitive game.Focusing on both teams’ ground games, notably Notre Dame’s, offers valuable insights into potential Irish success.
“Notre Dame has an offensive line worry,” a reality amplified by the fact they’re missing three starters from the season opener. But even against the best defensive end combination in the country, the look isn’t as bleak as it initially appears.
Right guard Rocco Spindler stepped up admirably, earning his place in the starting lineup after Billy Schrauth injured his ankle. Spindler’s performance was so remarkable that Schrauth’s return relegated Sam Pendleton to the bench.Meanwhile, center Pat Coogan has emerged as a seasoned leader, replacing Ashton Craig, who suffered an ACL injury.
Adding to the offensive line drama, Charlies Jagusah, the projected season-opening left tackle, tore his pectoral muscle during preseason practices. Anthonie Knapp, a true freshman, became the third in Notre Dame history to start a season opener on the line, only to sustain a high ankle sprain last week. fortunately, Jagusah has returned to practice and will be starting Monday night.
Going back to the season opener against Texas A&M, Notre Dame faced an uncertain offensive line and a potent threat in Purdue transfer defensive end Nic Scourton. Even then, tight end Mitchell Evans, still recovering from his own ACL surgery, was limited to just 10 snaps, all coming on third downs. However, his backups, Cooper flanagan and Eli Raridon, provided crucial support.
While Flanagan and Raridon don’t possess the same blocking prowess as evans,they still accounted for 39 of the 67 combined snaps on the offensive line,while another 22 were spent in the slot,positioning them to assist the offensive tackle against a formidable defensive end.
given these circumstances, Notre Dame’s strategy should prioritize keeping Evans close to the line of scrimmage to neutralize the impact of Ohio State’s dominant defensive ends, Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau. This will, in turn, grant quarterback Riley Leonard more time to survey the field and find his receivers.
The success of this strategy hinges on limiting evans’ deep-route opportunities and focusing on his contributions as a blocker. this “chip in” approach could prove crucial to Notre Dame’s success against Ohio state’s formidable defensive front.Will Howard’s rushing prowess could be the key to success against Notre Dame’s dominant defence.
While Ohio State boasts receivers like jeremiah Smith,Emeka egbuka,and Carnell Tate,it’s the offensive line’s resilience and Howard’s ability to scramble that truly keeps defenses on thier toes. By allowing less than a sack per game and limiting sacks to a mere 6.1 yards per game, the Buckeyes demonstrate a commitment to protecting their quarterback.Opponents are forced to spread their coverage thin, unable to devote too many defenders to pressuring Howard. His mobility has proven effective, as evidenced by his clean slates in both the College Football Playoff games against Tennessee and Oregon.
While Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden will undoubtedly devise some blitzing schemes, Howard’s awareness and athleticism give him a meaningful advantage in the pocket. He’ll anticipate pressure and find space to escape, minimizing the risk of sacks.
This season, Howard’s rushing production has been relatively modest, falling short of this prop in six of his last seven games. Though, facing the nation’s leading pass defense, he might potentially be more inclined to utilize his legs for fast gains.
With linebackers dropping back in zone coverage, Howard may find opportunities to capitalize on short lanes opened by notre Dame’s aggressive pass defense. The Buckeyes’ success will heavily depend on Howard’s ability to extend plays and gain yards on the ground.
while Howard’s passing touchdowns might be limited, his rushing ability could shine against Notre Dame’s formidable defense. The potential for quick gains and a reduced risk of sacks makes this an intriguing proposition for bettors.
Will Howard Under 1.5 passing touchdowns (+115 at BetMGM)
Notre Dame’s claim to the best pass defense in the nation isn’t merely a statement; it’s supported by concrete evidence. ”Expected points added,” or EPA, is a statistic that measures how effectively a team alters the game’s trajectory in its favor. In this regard, Notre Dame’s opponents consistently experienced a decrease in EPA, indicating the Irish’s ability to stifle offensive momentum.
Notre Dame’s Defensive Strategy: A Blueprint Against Ohio State’s Aerial Assault
Notre Dame’s defense enters the highly anticipated matchup against Ohio state with a formidable reputation. Opponents have struggled mightily against the Irish, throwing for considerably fewer touchdowns than even the weakest passing offenses in the nation. In fact, Notre Dame’s opponents managed a paltry 12 touchdowns through the air in 15 games, with five of those coming late in games when the outcome was already decided.
The Irish have also excelled at limiting explosive plays. During the regular season, they surrendered just 27 passes exceeding 20 yards, ranking sixth nationally. Their stingy defense also held opponents to only 10 passes gaining 30 yards or more,placing them 11th in the country. Even passes of 40 yards or more were scarce, with Notre Dame allowing only four during the regular season, again ranking 11th nationally.
While ohio State boasts the nation’s premier passing attack, led by the dynamic Jeremiah Smith, Notre Dame’s defensive game plan revolves around disrupting big plays. “Slowing down the game is the best Irish hope,” explains an analyst, “and forcing long Buckeyes’ possessions will take away the skills that make ohio State a different caliber of offense than any othre in the country.”
The Buckeyes’ prowess in the red zone, where they convert touchdowns on 76.79% of their possessions,presents a potential challenge.however, Notre Dame’s defense has proven capable of stifling red-zone offenses, holding opponents to touchdown conversions on just 53.85% of their red-zone trips. Notably, of the 21 red-zone scores allowed, six came in garbage time, highlighting the Irish’s effectiveness in preventing scoring drives when it matters most.
Interestingly,Notre Dame’s defense encourages opponents to rely on the ground game. Of the remaining 15 red-zone scores,10 were rushing touchdowns.”As notre Dame’s defense bends but doesn’t break, opponents turn to the ground more often,” observes the analyst. “That should remain true, even when it comes to Ohio State.”
How has the revolving door of injuries on the offensive line affected Notre Dame’s offensive game plan and execution this season?
Archyde Exclusive Interview: notre Dame’s Offensive Line Coach Harry Hiestand on Navigating Rough Waters and Monday Night’s National Championship
Archyde Sports’ Senior Correspondent, Emily Johnson, sits down with Notre Dame’s esteemed offensive line coach, Harry Hiestand, to discuss the rollercoaster of injuries, the team’s strategies, and their chances against Ohio State in the National Championship.
Emily Johnson (EJ): Coach Hiestand, thank you for joining us today. Its been a tumultuous season for your offensive line, with several key players missing due to injuries. How have you kept the unit cohesive and performing at a high level despite these challenges?
Harry Hiestand (HH): Emily, thank you for having me. It’s no secret that we’ve faced our fair share of adversity, but I’ve been incredibly proud of how this group has responded. We’ve had to adjust our lineup repeatedly, and each time, the guys have stepped up and embraced their new roles. Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan have been instrumental in helping the younger players adapt and grow, and I couldn’t ask for a more resilient and dedicated group.
EJ: Speaking of resilience, let’s talk about the Texas A&M game. How did your offensive line hold up against a formidable defense, and what did you learn about your unit that day?
HH: That game was a real test for us, and I thoght our offensive line played well above expectations. We were missing some key pieces, but everyone who stepped onto the field played with heart and determination. We knew we had to account for Nic Scourton, Purdue’s transfer defensive end, so we brought our tight ends close to the line to help out with blocking. It wasn’t perfect, but we managed to give Riley Leonard enough time in the pocket to find his receivers.
EJ: Now, facing Ohio State’s dominant defensive ends, jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, will you be employing a similar strategy? How can Notre Dame neutralize their impact?
HH: Absolutely, we’ll need to be creative and strategic in our approach to manage those two proven pass rushers. We’ll look to keep Mitchell Evans close to the line of scrimmage,not only to help with blocking but also to give Riley more time to scan the field. Chip blocking, where we have Evans and possibly other tight ends help for a few seconds before moving on, could be a key strategy. It’s crucial that we limit Evans’ deep-route opportunities to focus on his blocking prowess.
EJ: Switching gears to Ohio State’s offense, how do you plan to contain Will Howard and limit his scrambling ability?
HH: Howard is a talented and athletic quarterback who’s proven he can evade pressure and extend plays. We certainly no we can’t devote too many resources to rushing him without leaving our coverage vulnerable. Al Golden will undoubtedly have some blitz schemes up his sleeve, but ultimately, it’ll come down to our defensive line collapsing the pocket and forcing Howard to make rapid decisions. Our linebackers and secondary will need to be disciplined in their coverage and stay ready to capitalize on any opportunities that arise.
EJ: Last question, Coach. With all the challenges your team has faced this season, and given Ohio State’s status as heavy favorites, what makes you optimistic about Notre dame’s chances in Monday’s National Championship game?
HH: Emily, I’ve seen this team face adversity time and time again, and each time, they’ve found a way to come out stronger. Our offensive line might not have all the starters from the season opener, but the guys we have now are battle-tested and hungry. We’re not counting on luck or miracles; we know we’ll have to execute at a high level and play with heart. If we can do that, I like our chances against anyone. We’re Notre Dame, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
EJ: Thank you, Coach Hiestand, for your time and insights. We’ll be cheering for the Fighting Irish on Monday night!
HH: thank you, Emily. It’s going to be a great game, and we can’t wait to get out there and compete.
Archyde Sports wishes the best of luck to both teams in this thrilling National Championship matchup.
