Skip to content

Ohio State vs Notre Dame Odds: Irish Defense Key to Betting Strategy January 13

 

The Ohio State Buckeyes are currently an 8 ½-point favorite in the college football lines to win their first national championship since 2014 and a stingy Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense stands in the way.

Ohio State vs Notre Dame Odds 1/20: Irish Defense Key to Betting Strategy
Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish / Rich Storry / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via Afp

Ohio State is averaging 37.3 points in the first 12-team playoff after starting as the eighth seed. Seventh-seeded Notre Dame has allowed 17 points per contest in the postseason and extended its school record with 14 wins after beating Penn State 27-24 in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Two transfer quarterbacks – Ohio State’s Will Howard and Riley Leonard of Notre Dame – are also in the spotlight. The duo have combined for five interceptions in the playoffs and are never safe NCAAF player prop bets.

Coach Ryan Day goes for his first title with the Buckeyes. Marcus Freeman will try to lead the Irish to their first championship since 1988.

 

Top Betting Angles for Ohio State vs Notre Dame

1. Are Fighting Irish the Team of Destiny?

When Notre Dame lost to Northern Illinois in the second game of the season at home, it looked like another average year in South Bend, Ind., and your NCAA futures bet on Freeman’s team was dead.

The Irish refocused and moved forward, leaning on a tough defense and a strong running game, keyed by Leonard and Jeremiyah Love. The oddsmakers didn’t seem impressed, making Notre Dame a near 10-point underdog starting the week.

Time will tell, but much will depend on whether the Notre Dame defense can contain the potent Ohio State rushing attack and superstar freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. The Irish gave up 204 yards on the ground against Penn State, but had five sacks.

The key to your online bet on this game is what happens in the trenches with Ohio State’s offensive line against Notre Dame’s front. The Buckeyes needed two big plays to dispatch Texas 28-14 in the semifinals. The current +295 odds for the Irish to win is strong value.

 

2. It’s Howard vs Leonard for National Crown

Howard went 8-4 with Kansas State last season and Leonard was 4-3 at Duke before getting injured in 2023.

Now they are the focal points in the national championship game and the quarterback who wins it all will likely be the one that makes the least mistakes.

Per Ohio State vs Notre Dame stats, Howard is a better passer with 33 touchdown strikes and seven rushing scores while Leonard is more of a threat on the ground with 866 yards and 16 TD runs. The two have combined for 18 interceptions – five in the playoffs.

However, both have the ability to make big plays and refined their craft over the years, including last summer at the Manning Passing Academy.

Their efficiency will be key to your NCAA football picks.

 

3. Freeman Wins Games, Makes History

Marcus Freeman is the first black coach to lead his team to the Division I college football championship game. He is also the first coach of Asian descent to accomplish the goal.

I’ve said this before, I don’t ever want to take attention away from the team,” Freeman told reporters after the semifinal win. “It is an honor, and I hope all coaches – minorities, black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people – continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this. But this ain’t about me. This is about us.”

Freeman is 5-0 in the postseason the last three years after being hired as full-time coach. The 39-year-old will now face Ohio State, where he compiled 268 career tackles between 2004-08. He also started his coaching career as a grad assistant in 2010 in Columbus.


Freeman had his detractors after a 9-4 season in 2022, and especially after the Northern Illinois loss. Notre Dame was not among many NCAA experts’ picks to reach the final when the playoffs began.

But now he is a coaching star on the rise. Per NCAAF news, he is a candidate for the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears. Freeman’s star will soar with one more victory.

Bet on college football futures at BetUS.com

 

Need More Knowledge? Take a Look at These Other CFB Betting Articles

 

Questions of the Day

What his the series history between Ohio State and Notre Dame?


The Buckeyes have won all six previous matchups, including a 17-14 victory in 2023.

What was the previous record for wins in a season for Notre Dame?


The Irish won 12 games in 1988 and 89, along with 2012 and 2018.

Did you find this article interesting?

Comments (0)

Featured Picks

Related News