Ohio State vs Notre Dame Picks: Go With Alternate Bet on Buckeyes on Jan 20

Fresh coat 🎨#CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/LVKuGJbHhB

— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 17, 2025

If you’re wondering why the Buckeyes are nearly a double-digit favorite in the college football lines, it comes down to one key question. How is the Notre Dame offense going to keep pace with Ohio State?

The Buckeyes have scored 111 points in the team’s first three College Football Playoff games. Notre Dame is on a heater of its own with the team’s last loss coming in September.

If Ohio State’s offense is clicking, it is hard to imagine Notre Dame having the necessary firepower to keep pace. But this is why we play the games on the field and not on spreadsheets.

Here’s a look at some creative bets to make in this Ohio State-Notre Dame title game.

Ohio State vs Notre Dame: 3 Bets to Make in College Football Playoff

1. Ohio State (-6) First Half vs Notre Dame

If you are looking for creative ways to attack the Buckeyes, taking Ohio State to cover ATS in the first half is a solid option. The BetUS Sportsbook has Ohio State favored by 6 points versus Notre Dame in the opening 30 minutes.

The Irish scored just three points in the first half versus Penn State. It is hard for me to imagine Notre Dame racking up points to begin the natty.

THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IS SET 🏆

Who ya got, Notre Dame or Ohio State? 🌰☘️ pic.twitter.com/2XBDQmLtJY

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 11, 2025

There is a much better chance that Ohio State gets off to a hot start and is able to cover this first-half number with ease in NCAA football picks.

PICK: Ohio State (-6) First Half

2. Ohio State to Cover Alternate -14½ Spread

Confident that Ohio State will cover the NCAAF spread? You can also create an alternate spread where the Buckeyes are favored by even more.

There is also the option to do this for Notre Dame, but Irish backers will likely simply take the Golden Domers to win on the moneyline (+305). For the rare fans supremely confident in Notre Dame, you can adjust the line from the Irish as 9-point dogs to being favored for a massive potential payout.

Who’s deeper: Ohio State or Notre Dame? 🌰🍀

We combined both team’s projected starters to create an ultimate national championship starting 11 on both offense and defense- thoughts? 💭👀

Read the full breakdown here https://t.co/VIedO5Ed1M pic.twitter.com/yRM4fqVNQV

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 16, 2025

The best value for those wanting to get aggressive on the Buckeyes is to move the spread up to Ohio State -14½ in the NCAAF odds. At the time of this writing, this offers a +170 return if the Buckeyes are able to cover ATS on their way to a blowout.

PICK: Ohio State (-14½) Alternate Spread (+170)

3. Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson Over 58.5 Rushing Yards

The Buckeyes’ rushing attack is imposing with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. This can make it difficult to project who will have the hot hand from week to week.

TREVEYON HENDERSON IS GONE 💨

75-yard touchdown right before halftime.pic.twitter.com/vaPLwh6W7W

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 11, 2025

Per Ohio State vs Notre Dame stats, Henderson has topped 60 rushing yards in 11 games this season. This means the NCAA football odds are in favor of the star running back hitting the over in the natty.

Bet online on the over for Henderson’s rushing yards.

PICK: TreVeyon Henderson Over 58.5 Rushing Yards (-114)

Questions of the Day

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.