Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview/Prop Picks
03 September 2022
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Notre Dame 107.708; Ohio State 113.925
Dunkel Line & Total: Ohio State by 6; 68
Vegas Line & Total: Ohio State by 17; 58
Dunkel Pick: Notre Dame (+17); Over
Week 1 of the college football season always seems to deliver some big games, and that is the case in 2022 as well. The Ohio State Buckeyes host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for a huge clash between Top 5 teams.
Notre Dame just missed out on the College Football Playoff a season ago, and the Marcus Freeman era now officially begins. The Fighting Irish are ranked number 5 to begin the year, but they face a tough test in Week 1.
Ohio State also missed out on the CFP after suffering a loss to Michigan to end the Big Ten Conference season. The Buckeyes have high expectations in 2022, and they are ranked number 2 to begin the season.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are massive 17-point betting favorites over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday night.
Defense Must Dominate For Irish
If the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have any hope of winning this game on Saturday night, then it will have to be won on the defensive end. Notre Dame was a great defensive team a season ago, but this will be quite the test.
Head coach Marcus Freeman was the defensive coordinator a season ago, and he was able to convince his top stars to stay in South Bend to play with him. Notre Dame has to get into the backfield and get after the quarterback to be successful.
Look for Notre Dame to run the football a ton in this game as they will try to chew up the clock. Quarterback Tyler Buchner will be a part of that rushing attack as he is a dual-threat at that position.
Stroud Set to Lead Buckeyes
Ohio State is led by quarterback CJ Stroud, and he is on the short list of Heisman Trophy candidates this season. Stroud threw for more than 4,000 yards a season ago, and he should be even better this season.
The Buckeyes will be trying to play extremely fast when they have the ball, and they won’t be afraid to take some shots down the field. This team did lose some talent to the NFL, but there are playmakers at every position.
The defense did struggle at times during the 2021 season, and that unit will have to improve if they want to win a CFP title this season.
Irish Battle, Buckeyes Win
This huge spread is not giving a ton of respect to a Notre Dame team that could easily contend for the championship this season. Ohio State is absolutely loaded with talent, but the Fighting Irish won’t be intimidated by making a trip to Columbus.
Stroud and the Buckeyes offense is going to take over this game at some point, but don’t expect Notre Dame to give in. The Fighting Irish have some offensive talent of their own, and they can keep this game close if they are able to hit on some big plays.
The best bet is to take the 17 points and bet on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but it will be the Ohio State Buckeyes that win this game.
Prop Picks
Notre Dame (-125) OVER 20.5 Points
Notre Dame averaged 35.2 points per game on offense last season, which ranked No. 18 in FBS. That average increased to 37.0 points per game on the road. Scores have gone OVER in four of the Fighting Irish’s last five road games.
With Dunkel predicting an Ohio State win by the score of 37-31, take the Fighting Irish (-125) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 20.5 points against the Buckeyes.
C.J. Stroud (-125) OVER 335.5 Passing Yards
Ohio State averaged 380.9 passing yards per game last season on offense, which ranked No. 3 in FBS. That average decreased slightly to 371.6 passing yards per game at home.
With Dunkel predicting the final score going OVER the Vegas point total, take Stroud (-125) to finish OVER 335.5 passing yards versus Notre Dame.
Keep up with your latest NCAA football news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.
All Media on this page by Associated Press.
