Ohio State at Notre Dame

Notre Dame has lost to the Buckeyes each of the past two seasons, mainly due to Ohio State's superior defense. Ohio State won 21-10 in 2022 and 17-14 in the final minutes in 2023. The Fighting Irish have averaged 25.7 points in the three playoff games compared to 44.1 in their last 10 games of the regular season, and obviously that is due to tougher competition. It won't get any easier against the Buckeyes, who have held every opponent under 20 points except the first meeting with Oregon. Ohio State's defense features experienced linemen in Tyliek Williams, Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, who have combined for 30.5 sacks and 48.5 tackles for loss, and they and the rest of the Buckeyes are on a mission to win a national championship to atone for losing to archrival Michigan not only this year but the past four years. Notre Dame has been fortunate not having to play a conference championship game, and their first three playoff opponents had some issues. Indiana feasted on a soft schedule, Georgia was playing a backup quarterback, and the Irish were lucky to beat Penn State, which is not known for winning big games in recent years. The Buckeyes are on a 6-2 ATS run, and they are 3-0 ATS in the playoffs against two SEC teams and the No. 1 team in the nation at the time. Take Ohio State.