Notre Dame vs. Ohio State football’s biggest concern after Penn State’s win

Notre Dame (14-1) has a lot to be proud of as it prepares to play in the national championship game against Ohio State (13-2). The Fighting Irish were without a head coach Marcus Freemanhas won 13 straight since suffering a September loss against Northern Illinois.

Their last win came in the Orange Bowl semifinal game against Penn State. Notre Dame survived Nittany Lions by 27-24 as Mitch Jeter kicked the game-winning 41-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in the game. The game-winning points came shortly after Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray intercepted Penn State quarterback Drew Allard late in the final quarter.

Notre Dame has a chance to win its first national title since Lou Holtz led the team to the crown in 1988. However, the Fighting Irish enter the game as a significant 9.5 underdog points against Bucky.

Ohio State recovered in impressive fashion after the team lost in the regular season finale to archrival Michigan. The loss to the Wolverines was Ohio State’s fourth straight in the series and could have sent the head coach out Ryan Daythat’s okay. Instead, the team rallied in impressive fashion, beating Tennessee and Oregon in the first two playoff games before beating Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl.

Notre Dame has big concerns heading into the Ohio State matchup. The Buckeyes have incredibly talented players who play at an exceptional level.

Ohio State’s pass rush could punish Notre Dame

Ohio State has long been a team loaded with NFL-level personnel. Over the years, they rank with teams like Alabama, LSU and Georgia when it comes to talented players.

This year’s version of the Buckeyes may top the list. Day’s team added a great quarterback in Will Howard during the offseason, and he quickly acclimated to Ohio State’s offense.

Howard completed 292 of 402 passes for 3,779 yards and threw 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He had a completion percentage of 72.6 percent and averaged an impressive 9.4 yards per attempt.

More than the numbers, Howard showed he could rise to the occasion in the postseason. He was perhaps the most disappointing player of all when the Buckeyes dropped a 13-10 decision to the Wolverines, throwing for just 175 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

However, he rebounded with excellent efforts in three postseason games at Ohio State. He is 6-2 with TDs in wins over Tennessee, Oregon and Texas.

The receiving corps for the Buckeyes is exceptional

Howard has a cast of receivers that would make many NFL coaches jealous. Freshman Jeremiah Smith is the best and most talented of the group. Texas was so worried about Smith that he was double-covered on almost every play. Smith caught 71 passes for 1,227 yards, with 14 of his receptions going for touchdowns.

Emeka Egbuka has been outstanding for the Buckeyes during his time in Columbus. The senior receiver had another wonderful year and caught 75-947-10 this season. The sophomore class throughout Carnell Lake is more than capable of big plays. He contributed 50-698-4 in the passing game at Ohio State.

The Fighting Irish can try to cover Smith, just like Texas did. But if they do, Egubka, Lake and tight end Guy Scott will cause a ton of problems

While the Buckeyes have tremendous quality at the receiver position, they are not lacking in the running back slot either. The combination of Trewayon Henderson and Quinshawn Judkins can take over at any time. Henderson gained 967 yards while averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He entered the end zone 10 times.

Judkins, a transfer from Ole Miss, rushed for 960 yards while averaging 5.2 yards per attempt and scored 12 touchdowns. Both Henderson and Judkins are more than capable receivers.

Notre Dame’s offense must overcome the Buckeyes’ relentless defense

Notre Dame didn’t make it to the championship game by accident. They have outstanding players on offense, including quarterback Riley Leonard, running back Jeremy Love and running back Jaden Greathouse.

Leonard, Love and Greathouse must be at their best against an Ohio State defense that has raised its level in the playoffs.

The most important player Day looks up to on defense is defensive end Jack Sawyer. He made one of the the biggest shows in Ohio State history against Texas when he stripped Longhorns quarterback Quinn Evers of the ball, scooped it up and raced 83 yards for a losing touchdown in the triumph.

Sawyer had impressive numbers this season with 56 tackles, 9 sacks, 6 passes defensed, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 fumble returns.

In addition to Sawyer, linebacker Cody Simon and defensive backs Sonny Steele, Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom are dangerous players. JT Tuimoloau led the Buckeyes with 11.5 sacks this season.