Despite dropping two regular season games to rivals Oregon and Michigan, the Ohio State Buckeyes now find themselves in the CFP National Championship Game next Monday Night.
OSU has had to run the gauntlet in this year’s CFP bracket, facing off against Tennessee, Oregon, and the Texas Longhorns along the way to the finals.
Notre Dame has only lost one game this year, a shocker to the unranked Northern Illinois Huskies on September 7th. Since then, the Irish have reeled off 14 straight wins, carving a path to a championship clash against Ohio State.
CFP betting sites have created lines for OSU vs. ND that favor the Buckeyes by 8 points.
Ohio State (#8) vs. Notre Dame (#7)
- Spread: Buckeyes -8.0 (-110), Irish +8.0 (-110)
- Moneyline: Buckeyes -370, Irish +285
- Over: 46.0 (-110)
- Under: 46.0 (-110)
Using the above CFP Championship betting line’s spread and over/under, we can project an outcome of Ohio State 27, Notre Dame 19.
If the Buckeyes win, it will be their 9th title and their first since 2014.
If Notre Dame can overcome the odds and win the CFP Championship Game, it will be their first #1 finish since 1988 and their 12th title overall.
How Notre Dame Can Win
The Fighting Irish must establish the running game early. Not only will they need to open holes for running backs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love, but they’ll need to get on the scoreboard first and not fall behind in the first quarter.
A few first half three-and-outs could spell doom for Notre Dame, as OSU will waste no time running up the score.
Quarterback Riley Leonard will need to stay within himself and not try and force balls into the secondary. Leonard threw two costly interceptions against Penn State in the CFP semifinals, and that can’t happen again against Ohio State.
How Ohio State Can Win
The Buckeyes have beaten their opponents in the playoffs by no less that two touchdowns in each game. They’ve been performing well on all sides of the ball, and if they continue that trend, then they should cover the spread with ease.
Quarterback Will Howard is projected to throw for around 245 yards based on the most recent NCAAF prop bets, a number that he has eclipsed in each of the prior three rounds of the playoffs.
Jeremiah Smith is expected to haul in at least 80 yards in the air, and is also the most likely touchdown scorer with a moneyline of -154 to get at least one TD.
Prediction – Ohio State Covers The 8 Points And Wins
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