Notre Dame (14-1) has risen to the event at each flip in the course of the playoffs. The nationwide championship will not be too large of a stage.
Why Notre Dame can beat Ohio State: Operating potential
When the Buckeyes had been upset at residence by Michigan, 13-10, in November, the Wolverines had a 172-77 benefit on the bottom. Michigan operating again Kalel Mullings had 32 carries, 116 yards and a landing.
The Irish are a run-heavy workforce that may shorten the sport towards Ohio State, conserving the Buckeyes’ electrifying weapons, led by excellent freshman extensive receiver Jeremiah Smith, on the sideline. Per Team Rankings, Notre Dame entered Thursday fortieth within the nation in rush play price, operating the ball on 55.39% of its performs.
Penn State held Notre Dame to 116 yards on 42 carries (2.8 yards per try), however the Irish had strong manufacturing in key conditions. Per Stat Broadcast, the Irish gained 60 yards on 16 first-down carries (3.8 yards per carry) and was 6-of-8 in energy speeding conditions, which are defined as profitable carries on Third- or 4th-and-2 or much less.
Why Notre Dame can beat Texas: Already beat Texas A&M and Georgia
The final time Notre Dame performed within the nationwide championship recreation, it was throttled by Alabama, 42-14, within the closing iteration of the BCS championship. If the Irish play SEC runner-up Texas, issues must be a lot totally different.
Notre Dame is 2-0 towards the SEC this season, defeating Texas A&M, 23-13, in Week 1, and Georgia, 23-10, in final Thursday’s Sugar Bowl.
Whereas Texas additionally notched a 10-point win over the Aggies, 17-7, it misplaced twice to Georgia, together with within the SEC Championship recreation when it blew a 6-3 halftime result in Bulldogs backup quarterback Gunner Stockton in a 22-19 additional time loss.
Notre Dame is not the SEC’s punching bag. Actually, the Combating Irish can ship the convention a knockout blow if it will get the Longhorns within the nationwide championship recreation.
