Scouting Report | Ohio State
A 13 game winning streak and three College Football Playoff wins against three top-10 teams has all led to this. It’s Notre Dame versus Ohio State. The Buckeyes and their 20 million dollar roster are the final boss.
It didn’t look like Ryan Day was going to get the job done this season after they lost at home to Michigan, but no one has played better than Ohio State since that game. They beat down Tennessee, exacted sweet revenge against Oregon, and closed out a tough game against Texas to get to this point.
Ranked 1st in F+ (combined FEI and SP+ rankings), they are loaded with talent. They have the highest blue-chip ratio (90%) in the country, rank 3rd in 247Sports’ college team talent rankings, and brought in elite transfers to compliment a roster that returned most of their key players from last season.
Notre Dame fans will never forget the way they lost to Ohio State last season. One little thing could have gone differently in several instances and the Irish would have won that game. They took Ohio State into deep waters in the fourth quarter the season before, but couldn’t finish the job. This Notre Dame team is better than those ones, even with the injuries that have piled up.
This Ohio State team is different, but is just as good as the 2022 team who lost a heartbreaking CFP semi-final to Georgia that season. Ranked 1st in net points per drive, they’re the most complete team in the country.
Offense
The last time Notre Dame played for a national championship, Chip Kelly was in his last season as Oregon’s head coach. It’s been a long, winding road since then with him as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and UCLA Bruins.
He left that job to become the offensive coordinator for Ohio State this season.
One of the innovators of modern offense in college football, the combination of Kelly and his former protege Day has been very successful. They are 2nd in FEI, 3rd in points per drive, and 2nd in YPP.
Most importantly, they’ve been able to adapt after losing their starting left tackle and starting center earlier this season. They’re different now than they were during the regular season. They used 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends) only 15% of the time in the regular season. They’re over 40% in their three CFP games. They’ve transitioned to more of a gap blocking rush offense from more zone blocking as well. It’s been gap runs (man blocking) 76.7% of the time.
Counter trey has become a core play for them and they do a lot of different things off of that with motion to confuse defenses. I’d expect Kelly to add some small wrinkles to the run game in this matchup and we can expect to see plenty of play-action as well (38.6% of dropbacks this season). They do a great job of scheming receivers open.
In their most recent matchup, they averaged 6.5 YPP against an elite Texas defense, the highest average the Longhorns had allowed. Al Golden’s defense will have their toughest challenge of the season against the Buckeyes.
Expected Strengths
The collection of skill talent is the best in the country. It starts in the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. They are 5th in EPA per rush. Henderson had a 61-yard touchdown against the Irish last season and he can break open a game anytime he touches the football.
Notre Dame will have to stop the run with less bodies because the receivers are elite. There isn’t a more physically gifted receiver in the country than Jeremiah Smith. Emeka Egbuka is one of the top slot receivers in the nation. Carnell Tate is an upgrade on who they had as their number three receiver last season and he’d be a 1 or 2 at most programs.
They’re 1st in EPA per dropback and Will Howard has done a great job as the facilitator at quarterback. He’s been playing at a very high level during the CFP and has done just about everything they’ve needed him to do on play-action passes. He’s completed 77.7% of his passes for 11.5 yards per attempt and his 140.0 NFL passer rating is 3rd out of Power 4 quarterbacks. (Note: Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke is 1st)
They are one of the best at taking advantage of their opportunities to score. They’re 10th in points per Eckel and 3rd in red zone touchdown percentage.
Potential Weaknesses
While they’ve made some adjustments to help after losing LT Josh Simmons and C Seth McGlaughlin for the season, they are still a weaker unit up front because of it. They are much worse in pass protection, particularly inside. That’s an area where they were dominated by Notre Dame last season.
The Buckeyes are 104th in PFF’s pass block grades. It hasn’t hurt them too much because they haven’t had to play behind often or have too many obvious passing situations. If Notre Dame forces them into those, it’s going to be very favorable for the Irish.
They’ve been average on 3rd down and it has not been great for them against most of the good defenses they’ve faced. They converted 10% against Nebraska, 37.5% against Michigan, 33.3% in the first Oregon game, and 30% against Texas. While Howard is 3rd overall in pass efficiency, he’s 70th in 3rd down pass efficiency. He’s thrown four touchdowns to five interceptions on 3rd down.
Notre Dame’s defense is fourth in the country in 3rd/4th down success.
Howard has had some glaring splits against the blitz versus when teams don’t blitz him. Ohio State and him have done a good job of finding answers when extra rushers are coming, but when teams have rushed four, he’s had issues reading defenses.
Nine of his 10 interceptions have come when teams have rushed four or less against him. Michigan was by far his worst game of the season (5.7 YPA, 57.6% completions, 57.0 NFL passer rating, 62.3 QBR, 3 turnover-worthy plays). He was 6 of 8 vs the blitz and averaged 9.1 YPA. He was 13 of 25 vs no blitz and averaged 4.1 YPA with two picks.
That game was Michigan’s lowest blitz rate of the season.
A huge key was Michigan getting pressured on 50% of dropbacks without blitzing, so Notre Dame winning up front with four as much as possible will matter.
Golden throwing different looks at Howard is something that could prove to be huge in this game. His turnover-worthy play percentage was 8.1% against Michigan and 9.1% against Nebraska when they blitzed him on only one of 21 dropbacks. Howard averaged 5.6 YPA vs UT and his interception came when Texas didn’t blitz as well.
People have probably seen that Ohio State has had a lot of success throwing against man coverage and while I certainly expect Notre Dame to play a good amount of it because it’s part of who they are, Golden has proven to be adaptable from week to week in that regard. He saw Michigan play more zone against Ohio State and Texas did the same.
They threw a bunch of different coverages and that played a role in limiting Smith to only one catch for three yards on three targets. It’s not a surprise that Smith, a freakish athlete who can win one on one against just about anyone, would have a tougher time against zone coverage.
It’s certainly notable to me that Howard has thrown 0 interceptions when targeting Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka vs man, but he's thrown 5 INTs when targeting them vs zone.
Personnel notes
#18 QB Will Howard
- 6-4 240
- K State transfer
- accepted invite to Senior Bowl
- 2nd in QBR
- 3rd in EPA per dropback, 3rd in passing success rate
- QBR has been over 90 in all three CFP games
- dual-threat who can hurt you in the run game if you don’t pay attention to him
- 7 rushing TDs
- 72.6% completions, 9.4 YPA, 33 TDs to 10 INTs
- highest percentage of wide open targets in the country, over 40%
- played 5 top-15 defenses, threw at least one pick in each of those games
- ran a trick play pass back to him for no gain
- had large contusion on non-throwing hand vs UT
- 8 fumbles this season
- 4.83 40, 4.5 short shuttle, 30.2 vert in HS
#33 QB Devin Brown
- 6-3 212
- still on the team, but in the transfer portal
- 5.7 YPA on 20 attempts this season
- used as a runner in previous seasons
- 4.8 40, 32.8 vert, 8.06 3-cone in HS
#10 QB Julian Sayin
- 6-1 203
- Alabama transfer
- good athlete with live arm
- dual-threat ability
- played in garbage time
#1 RB Quinshon Judkins
- 6-0 219
- Ole Miss transfer
- outstanding balance after contact
- hits the hole fast, great acceleration
- led all Power 5 backs in yards, yards after contact, and missed tackles forced in his two seasons at Ole Miss
- good hands as a receiver
- 19 rushes of 20+ yards in ‘22
- 5.25 YPC, 960 rushing
- 140 receiving
#32 RB TreVeyon Henderson
- 5-10 212
- Only played 8 games in ‘22 due to injury
- Awesome true freshman season, 13 runs of 20+ yards
- Can drop his pads and run defenders over
- 21.1mph on 75 yard TD vs Texas
- 22.0mph on TD vs Oregon
- all-purpose numbers in CFP games
- good vision, one-cut explode
- broke 61-yard TD vs ND to give OSU the lead last season
- 7.3 YPC, 967 yards rushing
- 284 receiving
- physical in blitz pickup
- 1st in Power 4 in yards after contact per attempt
- 10.94 100m in HS
#20 RB James Peoples
- true freshman
- 5-10 203
- 4.0 YPC, 197 rushing
- hasn’t played much since early in the season
#4 WR Jeremiah Smith
- 6-3 220
- true freshman
- 1st team All-Big Ten
- freak athlete
- maybe the most talented player in CFB
- hit over 21mph twice in games this season
- max speed in practice was 23.39mph
- 10-10 broad jump, 36 vert at Ohio St
- 13 or 290 4 TDs vs Tennessee and Oregon
- 71 for 1,227, 14 TDs on the season
- held to 1 catch for 3 yards vs UT on 3 targets
- 11 receptions of 30+ yards
- highest PFF grade out of Power 4 vs man coverage, 153.7 NFL passer rating when targeted
- only 1 drop all season
- 21.4% of his targets are deep balls
- 57.1% on contested catches
- 2nd in Power 4 in yards per route run
- 15 missed tackles forced after the catch
- might be the top pick in the NFL Draft if he was eligible
- had his highest percentage of pass snaps in the slot vs Tennessee, 41.2%
- only in the slot 15.9% on the season
- 5 catches on 7 targets for 35 yards vs Michigan, lowest ADOT of the season
#2 WR Emeka Egbuka
- 6-1 206
- 19 receptions of 20+ yards in ‘22
- 75 for 947, 10 TDs this season
- Limited vs Indiana, 3 for 16
- Awesome body control
- Dangerous after the catch if given space
- Does most of his work in the slot
- No deep targets through three games
- good understanding of leverage as a route runner
- 80.1% in the slot this season
- 59.1% on contested catches
- 16 of 19 on targets vs man coverage, 12.7 per reception
- 150.8 NFL passer rating when targeted vs man
- 2 drops vs Texas
- 4.42 40, 4.19 short shuttle, 35.1 vert in HS
#17 WR Carnell Tate
- 6-3 191
-50 for 698, 4 TDs
- would be a 1 or 2 on just about any other team
- good body control, will high point the football
- 6 of 10 on contested catches
- 100-yard game vs Nebraska
- singled up often vs UT, 7 catches on 9 targets for 87
#11 WR Brandon Inniss
- 6-0 203
- 13 for 157, 1 TD - 58-yard TD vs Purdue as true freshman in 2023
- returned 13 punts this season, showed flashes to break one
- only targeted once during CFP games
#13 WR Bryson Rodgers
- 6-2 185
- 5 for 46 receiving
- 5th receiver with minimal snaps
#88 TE Gee Scott
- 6-3 240
- 5th year senior
- Converted WR
- improved as a run blocker, but still mid
- 26 for 249, 2 TDs
- career high 5 catches vs UT
- only 2 contested targets all season, 1 catch
- more of a big slot, aligned him less in-line during CFP games
- primarily a check down option, only 9 catches for 1st down
- can run well, but not dynamic after the catch
- become mostly a passing down player for them
- 4.6 40, 38.9 vert at 207 in HS
#85 TE Bennett Christian
- 6-6 260
- 2 for 61 receiving
- 55 yards on a TD vs W Michigan
- played only in 12 personnel vs UT, 9 snaps
- solid in-line blocker
#89 TE Will Kacmarek
- 6-6 260
- 8 for 86 receiving
- Ohio transfer, 42 catches in two seasons
- primarily a blocking TE for OSU
- 30+ snaps in the last three games
- 2 for 21 vs UT
- will keep him in to pass block on play-action
- switch to more gap runs has meant more playing time for him
#15 TE Jelani Thurman
- 6-6 258
- freaky athlete, big time hops
- 4 for 42 receiving
- only 4 catches on 9 targets
- played seven snaps run blocking vs Tennessee and Texas
- good in-line blocker
#49 TE Patrick Gurd
- 6-4 249
- iso block as a fullback on Judkins TD vs UT
- 13 snaps as fullback this year
#74 LT Donovan Jackson
- 6-4 320
- multiple time 1st team All-Big Ten
- shifted to LT after injury to Simmons
- has not allowed a sack since the Penn St game
- Outstanding athlete, get to second level and reach with ease
- 1.59 10-yard split is elite
- 30 inch vert, 9-7 broad jump at OSU
- Can have issues when losing initially in pass pro
- His great is great. Has some bad mixed in
- can get under his pads and be moved at the POA
- potential day two prospect
- playing through a leg injury
- rough games vs Penn St, Michigan, and Indiana vs very good edge rushsers
- 0 pressures allowed vs Texas, adjusted really well vs top guys in CFP
- playing at a high level
#70 RT Josh Fryar
- 6-6 320
- 5th year senior
- two-year starter
- Not a consistent knee bender and defenders can get under his pads
- super long, over 80 inch wingspan
- playing through an upper body injury
- good down blocking, but can struggle to reach edges
- allowed 6 pressures in last two games
#51 LG Luke Montgomery
- 6-4 308
- 1st career start vs Texas
- rotated in the previous two games
- has had flashes of dominance in the run game
- better there than in pass pro, but competes hard
- credited with allowing two sacks vs UT
#67 LG Austin Sievereld
- 6-5 320
- rotated in for 17 snaps at RG
- had been rotating at both guard spots
- not fully healthy, described as “banged up”
- below average player
#77 RG Tegra Tshabola
- 6-6 327
- super long, 35+ inch arm length
- subbed out for Sievereld vs UT
- had a tough time against the best interior DL they’ve played
- slow footed in pass pro
#75 C Carson Hinzman
- 6-4 300
- starter at C in 2023
- good when getting to the second level
- brought in transfer to replace him
- below average player
- owned by Howard Cross last season
- allowed 7 pressures vs ND
- struggles when DTs are nose up on him
- 3rd worst PFF pass pro grade for Power 4 centers in true pass sets
Key for Notre Dame
Create havoc
This goes hand in hand with winning up front and getting them into obvious pass situations. If Notre Dame is able to get Ohio State behind the sticks and get them into long yardage on 3rd downs, then it’s going to be play into the hands of Notre Dame’s defense when they can mix coverages, mix pressures, and potentially force Howard into making a critical mistake.
Defense
The Ohio State defense was awesome last season and they’ve been even better in year three under Jim Knowles. The players who have returned are better than they were last year and the new addition of Caleb Downs at safety has taken them to another level.
They are 2nd in FEI, 2nd in points per drive, 1st in YPP, and 2nd in stop rate. It’s a nasty group at all three levels.
Knowles has always been known as being aggressive with his blitz packages and he still is, but he has the luxury of having the talent who can get home when they rush four as well. Last year against Notre Dame they had pressure on 50% of Sam Hartman’s dropbacks and only blitzed 19.2% of the time.
There were more zone pressures last year and it’s transitioned to a bit more man because they can play single high with either safety. They do a great job of showing two high and having one of those safeties fire down fast to play the run as well.
Expected Strengths
It was money well spent to keep a bunch of these guys from going pro. They could have 10 starters drafted this year and the 11th is not draft-eligible. Downs is probably the best of the entire group.
They are one of the best havoc rate teams in the country at 21.2%. They’re first is sack rate, 7th in PFF’s pass rush grades, and all four of their starters can win against the pass on any given play. In my opinion this is a slightly better pass rush than Georgia and everyone knows how disruptive that pass rush was.
They are 2nd in EPA per dropback. Teams don’t have the time to protect for very long against them and the three safeties they play (Downs, Lathan Ransom, and nickel Jordan Hancock) have so much range to cover a ton of ground.
The overall speed of the group really jumps out against the run with anything to the perimeter. They are 3rd in EPA per rush and the two defensive tackles are as good as any combo in the country when playing against the run.
People have witnessed huge goal line stands for them against Penn State and Texas that helped them win those games and that wasn’t just a one time thing. They are 4th in points per Eckel and 2nd in red zone touchdown percentage.
Penn State was 1st in red zone touchdown percentage and it was massive for Notre Dame to score two touchdowns on three red zone trips against them. They’ll need similar success against a similarly stingy group.
Like the last two defenses Notre Dame has faced, it’s a defense that will make you earn everything you get. Nothing will come easy against them.
Potential Weaknesses
Texas did have some success with them scheming up plays in the passing game. They leaned heavily on their running backs and tight ends with Quinn Ewers targeting them 17 times. He completed 14 of those for 148 yards (8.7 YPA) and both of their touchdowns.
RB Jaydon Blue scored both of those touchdowns on wheel routes.
Mitchell Evans had a monster game against Ohio State last season with seven catches on seven targets for 75 yards. Five of those catches went for 1st downs.
The first game against Oregon they got torched in the passing game. The Ducks averaged 10.33 yards per dropback and 7.8 YPP overall. That leads into the conversation about their corners. Denzel Burke hasn’t been as good this season and he was targeted seven times and gave up seven catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Burke was also injured against Texas and left the game with an upper body injury.
He was someone that Notre Dame pretty much stayed away from last season, but that shouldn’t be the case in this game. If they know they have man coverage against him with someone like Jordan Faison, they can take a shot.
Davis Igbinosun is also a flag waiting to happen. He’s had 17 thrown against him this season. He had a big pass interference call against him when they played the Irish last season and he got away with two more blatant ones that weren’t called. He grabs all the time and no corner in the country has been flagged more often than him.
While it has been very hard to run on them, they did give up some things to Penn State with Tyler Warren in the Wildcat and Drew Allar ran eight times for 44 yards against them. They haven’t played any true dual-threats at quarterback in the last two years and Riley Leonard is a different challenge for them.
The last time that Knowles faced a runner like Leonard was when Knowles was at Oklahoma State playing Caleb Williams as a freshman. Williams had 85 yards rushing in that game with 74 of those coming on scrambles.
This is a different defense than last season, but I do think it’s worth bringing up what Notre Dame did to them last year running the ball. They ran at Ohio State and ran Duo, two back power, and physically challenged them up front. They ended up rushing for 176 yards (4.51 per carry) and Jeremiyah Love rushed for 57 yards. He averaged 4.25 yards after contact.
Michigan in no way gashed them like they have in previous seasons, but they still grinded their way down the field against them running the football on the game-winning drive. That happened when Ohio State knew that was coming and they still didn’t stop it.
Personnel notes
#33 Edge Jack Sawyer
- 6-4 270
- Talented athlete, good motor
- much improved vs the run, stout Grant Wistrom type
- took 2.3 seconds to sack Quinn Ewers vs UT
- potential day 2 pick
- good all-around player
- 3 forced fumbles, 9 sacks
- elite hand-eye coordination, 7 PBUs and 1 INT
- 20 havoc plays
- 60 pressures
- 30% win rate vs true pass sets
#44 Edge JT Tuimoloau
- 6-4 270
- 1st team All-Big Ten
- 18 havoc plays in ‘22, took over the Penn State game
- Good hands as a pass rusher, can overwhelm with speed to power
- Disrupt the quick game with deflections
- dominant in CFP games
- great motor
- explosive off the ball, destroy the mesh when unblocked
- sprained ankle vs UT, returned to the game
- projected 1st round pick
- 19.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks
- 17.6% win rate vs true pass sets
#97 Edge Kenyatta Jackson
- 6-5 258
- Elite physical traits
- Long, athletic, raw as a pass rusher
- 3 havoc plays
- 19% win rate vs true pass sets
#92 Edge Caden Curry
- 6-3 260
- Will rush from the interior as well
- Active hands and a good motor
- 3.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles
#17 Edge Mitchell Melton
- 6-4 261
- 142 snaps this season
- a lot of injuries during his career
- in the transfer portal, but still playing
- 8 snaps vs UT
- good first step, plus pass rusher
- small sample, but 26.9% win rate vs true pass sets
#58 DT Ty Hamilton
- 6-3 295
- accepted invite to Senior Bowl
- Had 5 pressures vs Georgia in ‘22
- 19.1% win rate vs true pass sets in ‘22
- can be a two-gap run stuffer
- 6 TFLs
- 5 pressures vs UT
- played way more snaps this season, can wear down a bit during games
#91 DT Tyleik Williams
- 6-2 322
- 5th year senior
- missed 2 games early in the season due to injury
- very good first step
- twitchy, 1.62 10-yard split as soph at OSU
- Tough to move without a double team in the run game
- disruptive run defender, sheds blocks violently
- dominant game vs ND last season, 5 pressures
- one of the top DT prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft
- push the pocket as a pass rusher
- 7 TFLs
- 15 havoc plays in 2023, 5 PBUs
- 12 pressures in 3 CFP games
- 5.11 40, 4.59 short shuttle, 29 vert in HS
#98 DT Kayden McDonald
- 6-3 326
- 2.5 havoc plays
- 7 snaps vs UT
- doesn’t offer much as pass rusher
- space eater vs the run
#96 DT Eddrick Houston
- 6-3 270
- true freshman
- 130 snaps, 44 in last three games
- 2 PBUs
- 14 snaps vs UT, has been the next man in at DT
- big time pass rush traits
- 4 pressures vs Oregon -
small sample, but 20.5% win rate vs true pass sets
#93 DT Hero Kanu
- 6-5 305
- 120 snaps this season
- 7 snaps vs UT
- another body inside
#0 LB Cody Simon
- 6-2 235
- 5th year senior
- 3rd highest PFF grade for Power 4 LBs
- Productive backup, starter in 2021
- 7.5 havoc plays in ‘22
- dangerous as a blitzer
- 11.5 TFLs, 7 TFLs
- 19.5 havoc plays
- leads team in tackles
- 4.53 40, 4.28 short shuttle, 38.9 vert in HS
#6 LB Sonny Styles
- 6-4 240
- 15.5 havoc plays
- 5 havoc plays vs Texas
- second on the team in tackles
- Freak athlete
- outstanding chasing things down, horizontal player
- slower to diagnose inside run, converted safety
- beat on a wheel route for a TD vs UT RB Jaydon Blue
- season high 3 missed tackles vs UT
- Oregon and UT went after him in coverage, 17 targets and 110 yards after the catch
- finds a way to hit the QB as a blitzer, good pass rusher
- 11 foot broad jump, 39-inch vertical
- 4.4 40
#20 LB Arvell Reese
- 6-4 238
- 3rd LB who comes in vs heavy formations
- 2.5 TFLs
- a very good inside run defender
#11 LB CJ Hicks
- 6-3 233
- 3 havoc plays
- comes in with heavy goal line personnel
- only 2 snaps in last two games
- explosive flashes as a blitzer
- 40.5 inch vert in HS
#7 Nickel Jordan Hancock
- 6-1 195
- multi-year starter
- 11.5 havoc plays
- good tackler
- keeps things underneath, good understanding of where his help is
- more of a 3rd safety than a slot corner
- moved to safety to replace injured Ransom vs Nebraska
- top-10 in passer rating against, snaps per reception for Power 4 slot defenders
#2 S Caleb Downs
- 6-0 205
- Alabama transfer
- 1st team All-Big Ten
- one of the best safeties in the country
- checks every box
- elite ball skills
- man coverage ability
- very good at attacking from depth
- 15.5 havoc plays
- not draft-eligible, but a future 1st round pick
- 48.6 NFL passer rating when targeted
#8 S Lathan Ransom
- 6-1 210
- 5th year senior
- 1st team All-Big Ten
- accepted Senior Bowl invite
- multi-year starter
- 8.5 havoc plays and two blocked kicks in ‘22
- Closes in a hurry, took away perimeter plays vs ND last season
- Physical and loves contact
- smooth in transitions
- 3 forced fumbles, 15 havoc plays
- season high 3 missed tackles vs UT
- Passer rating of 152.8 when in man coverage in ‘22
- 4.2 short shuttle, 37.3 vert in HS #10
CB Denzel Burke
- 6-1 190
- Does a nice job controlling receivers with strength and mirrors well
- Better zone corner than man
- smart, instinctive
- banged up in the Cotton Bowl, left game with upper body injury
- 2 INTs, 7 havoc plays
- hasn’t played as well this season
- good tackler
- 77.5% completions up from 52.1% last season
- allowed 90% completions (18 of 20) in man coverage this season, 14.6 per reception
- 4.72 40, 4.5 short shuttle, 32.2 vert in HS
#1 CB Davis Igbinosun
- 6-2 193
- started career at Ole Miss
- Started 10 games as true freshman there
- Physical in press coverage, but grabby
- 2 INTs, 13 havoc plays
- only allowed 2 TDs this season
- penalties vs ND last year, got away with two others
- overly aggressive vs double moves
- a flag waiting to happen, more penalties than any other corner in Power 4
- 14 penalties accepted against him, 3 more that were declined
- have to take shots against him
#24 CB Jermaine Matthews
- 5-11 189
- 2.5 TFLs
- zero ball production this season
- replaced Burke when he was injured vs UT
- season high 47 snaps vs UT
- very solid 3rd CB
- only allowed 7.6 per reception
- played as the nickel when Hancock had to move to safety vs Nebraska
#3 CB Lorenzo Styles Jr.
- 6-1 195
- started career at ND
- converted WR
- 157 snaps this season, 4th CB
- 4 PBUs
- played 11 snaps in Dime package vs UT
- has played well in coverage when he has played
- 22mph on GPS, 10-10.5 broad jump when he was at ND
- 4.47 40 in HS
Key for Notre Dame
Convert their opportunities
Whether it’s 3rd down, red zone, or making sure that the big play hits when they call it, Notre Dame has to make the most of every opportunity against this defense because they don’t give up much. Oregon is the only team all season to score more than 20 points against them (twice).
Points will be at a premium, so a few plays could be the difference in what could be a low scoring game.
Special Teams
Ohio State has blocked two kicks this season. One was on a botched snap and the other was by Caden Curry against Purdue.
I’d expect Caleb Downs to be the punt returner in this game. He scored a touchdown on a return versus Indiana this season and had a return touchdown versus UT-Chattanooga when he played for Alabama in 2023.
One thing to monitor with special teams for them is Jayden Fielding missing two kicks against Michigan. Both of the missed field goals were inside of 40 yards. He hasn’t been asked to make a clutch kick since then and if this game is low scoring and comes down the kicking game, he’s a question mark for the Buckeyes.
#38 K Jayden Fielding
- 6-0 175
- 11 of 15 FGs this season
- missed two less than 40 yards
- 0 for 2 50+ of his career
- 16 of 20 in 2023
- 68% touchbacks on kickoffs
#42 P Joe McGuire
- 6-2 212
- from Australia
- 41.9 per punt
- 39.2 net, 71st in the country
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