Thus far in his short career as the starting quarterback, Kyle McCord has not had to face off against top talent. Notre Dame is significantly better all around than Akron (2021), Indiana, Youngstown State, or Western Kentucky. Needless to say, the talent, coaching, and atmosphere will be unlike anything McCord has yet seen. Even then, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes’ game plan have a prime opportunity to let McCord do what he does best.
Day is 8-5 against top 10 opponents since taking over the program in 2018. The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish squared off to start the year last year where Ohio State ended up beating the 12th-ranked Irish, 21-10. Now, Notre Dame has a legit squad, a strong veteran quarterback, a dynamic duo at running back, and a defense that has allowed fewer than 235 yards per game.
This is going to be a test for this Buckeyes team but most of all, McCord. While McCord is looking like a great quarterback, he’s not shown the ability to elevate his team as previous Day-era quarterbacks. Due to that, it’s going to be up to Day and his staff to come up with the right game plan to let McCord manage the game.
Buckeyes’ Game Plan Will Decide This Matchup with Notre Dame
Utilize the Arsenal Depth
The Buckeyes’ game plan on offense will have to be a balanced attack. On the passing side, it looked like the offense finally started to click against WKU. It was no fluke that they scored 35 points in the second quarter alone. It helps that they forced a turnover on downs and a fumble but capitalizing on short fields is crucial and will be especially paramount in this one.
Most will expect the high-powered offense to lean on the talents of Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. While Ohio State will certainly make sure those two get theirs, the game will be won or lost inside with the receiver and tight end depth. All of the secondary’s attention will be on containing the future pair of first-rounders, so they’ll dare the Buckeyes to beat them with the likes of Julian Fleming. Fleming has continued to develop as a solid third receiver and has already amassed 100 yards off of 11 receptions.
The tight end position has turned into a point of emphasis on this offense. Last year, the only tight end to record receiving stats in the first three games was Cade Stover with eight catches for 137 yards. This year, Stover and receiver-turned-tight-end Gee Scott, Jr. are a bit more involved. The pair has combined for 208 yards off of 14 receptions.
The tight ends have been a dependable safety blanket for McCord and will continue to be so. With all of the focus outside, the Buckeyes can take advantage of the mismatches of Stover and Scott against linebackers.
Run Downhill
A quarterback’s best friend — aside from a literal high school best friend and top-five NFL Draft pick — is a healthy run game. Sure, a team doesn’t technically need to run the ball for play-action to work. However, when that team has a trio as strong as Ohio State does, it certainly helps.
The Buckeyes’ game plan has to include giving TreVeyon Henderson and Chip Trayanum the football. They already love to use Henderson on outside zone and off-tackle concepts but the idea here is to literally run the ball north and south. In the first two games, the wide runs were not there. Against WKU, they opened up and Henderson broke off a number of massive runs. However, where this offensive line is best is running downhill behind the right side.
If Day wants to up the ante on the inside, ground-and-pound mentality, Trayanum may be his guy. The Arizona State transfer is able to hit the hole at full speed and make men miss in tight spots. He provides the home run threat that Henderson has as well as the ability to bowl over defenders like Miyan Williams.
Williams has turned into a red zone threat for the Buckeyes. After a long drive, the Buckeyes can hand the ball off to the physical specimen that is Williams and he will find the end zone.
The trio, in total, has run for 397 yards and seven touchdowns off of 67 touches. Henderson has had the most touches but Trayanum has made the most of his 19 carries by averaging seven yards per carry.
No matter who runs the ball, Ohio State is in good hands. In order to make McCord’s job as easy as possible, these three will have to shoulder plenty of the offensive load.
Lean on Defense
It may be trite but “defense wins championships” is still law in college football. Georgia has had two of the greatest defensive teams in the last two years and dominated its way to back-to-back CFP titles. Ohio State, allegedly, is back to playing defense.
Last week, they were able to lean on the defense and held Western Kentucky to just 10 points and has allowed fewer than seven points a game. Ohio State has the second-best score defense in the nation. Of course, Notre Dame isn’t the same as the first three opponents Ohio State has faced.
The secondary will be tested because Irish quarterback, Sam Hartman, is the best quarterback Notre Dame has had since Brady Quinn. Last year, it seemed like the Irish were a quarterback away. Well, now they have one. However, as much as the secondary has to step up against Notre Dame, this game will be won or lost by the front six of the Buckeyes.
Ohio State hasn’t gotten the five-star play by Jack Sawyer or J.T. Tuimoloau, so a breakout game by either would be welcome. However, limiting Notre Dame’s stud running back Audric Estime will be key. Estime, in four games, has 521 yards and five touchdowns off of 63 attempts. He’s averaging a ridiculous 8.3 yards per carry.
Look for Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers to come down frequently to help the interior defensive line. Mike Hall, Jr., Tyleik Williams, and Ty Hamilton will get plenty of chances to dictate how this game will go. Estime is going to be one of the best running backs they’ll face this year in a Big Ten gauntlet of rushing talent.
Massive Test in South Bend
Forcing Hartman to throw and pick apart a defense may seem like a bad idea, mostly because he can and will do it. However, if the Buckeyes’ defense can limit Estime and make Notre Dame one-dimensional, the Buckeyes will come out on top. This is a top-10 matchup for the ages and Day needs his team to play as well as he knows they can. This is a litmus test. If Ohio State falters and struggles, the rest of the season will be difficult.
Photo courtesy: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
