Ohio State vs Notre Dame Picks, Free College Football Picks, College Football Predictions 1/20/24

OHIO STATE vs. NOTRE DAME (OSU -8.5, 45.5)

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Ohio State vs Notre Dame Picks, Free College Football Picks, College Football Predictions 1/20/24

BUCKEYES @ FIGHTING IRISH 1/20/25

One never knows what the deciding factor will be in a knockout game such as tonight’s College Football Playoff Championship. However, a particular player matchup could be instrumental. The Fighting Irish, heading in as the No. 7 seed with an impressive 14-1 record, will attempt to contain Ohio State's star freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith, a task that the Texas Longhorns managed to achieve in the semifinals.

Smith, who had previously amassed 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the first two playoff wins against Tennessee and Oregon, found himself limited to one catch for just three yards in the semifinal. Texas deployed a tactical maneuver, often surrounding Smith with three defenders. Despite this, Ohio State, the eighth seed with a 13-2 overall record, still secured a 28-14 victory in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas.

Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly voiced no concerns regarding Smith's performance, instead noting his forward-focus and desire to secure Ohio State's first national title in a decade.

Smith's impressive tally of 1,227 receiving yards this season ranks him seventh nationwide. However, Notre Dame possesses their own star freshman: cornerback Leonard Moore. Awarded the Freshman Defensive Player of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America on Wednesday, Moore could yet prove to be a stumbling block for Smith on Monday night.

Even though Smith had a quieter game against Texas, Ohio State still has a number of weapons ready to step up. Players such as Carnell Tate, who caught seven passes for 87 yards, and running back TreVeyon Henderson, who took a screen pass 75 yards for a score, are fully capable of influencing the game. The Buckeyes also boast a dangerous quarterback in Will Howard, who has completed 73.9 percent of his passes for 919 yards in the last three playoff games.

Notre Dame has an equally formidable defense, ranking fifth nationwide in interceptions and second in both pass defense and scoring defense. However, they face a stern test against an Ohio State team that gives up only 12.2 points per game.

Notre Dame's offense is led by quarterback Riley Leonard, a Duke transfer who has a solid playoff. He’s a dual threat guy who can beat you with his legs and his arm. Leonard has rushing touchdowns in two of the three playoff games and he has a passing touchdown in all three.

These two college football greats have played just six times since 1995. Ohio State has won all six games and the Buckeyes were 4-1-1 ATS in those six. Four of the six games went Under the total. Notre Dame has won its last 13 games in a row. The Fighting Irish are 12-1 ATS over the last 13 games.

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COACH RICK FREE PICK:

:JEREMIYAH LOVE OVER 41.5 RUSHING YARDS

Love got dinged up late in the season, but has cleared this rushing yards prop in 5 of his last 6 games. He’s actually eclipsed 100 yards in 3 of the 6 games with 99 yards rushing in another one (vs. USC). The only game in which Love didn’t reach at least 42 yards was against Georgia. Love only carried six times in that game as he missed most of the second half of the Sugar Bowl with his knee injury. Ohio State is stout against the run. They are fifth in the nation giving up 92.2 yards per game, but Notre Dame has one of the top rushing offenses (210.7 ypg, 14th) in the country.