Fiesta Bowl Preview: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Friday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. ET
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
On the 10-year anniversary of the last time these schools met in the Fiesta Bowl, the best game of the bowl season could be on tap.
In the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State's Troy Smith and linebacker A.J. Hawk shared MVP honors in a 34-20 win over Notre Dame. J.T. Barrett will look to steal the show for the Buckeyes this time out, but it'll likely be on the ground.
This year's Ohio State isn't very good in the air, so the Fighting Irish can expect a heavy dose of handoffs to Ezekiel Elliott, and quarterback calls by Barrett.
Across the gridiron, Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer has stepped up nicely since Malik Zaire went down early in the year, throwing for 19 touchdowns while rushing for nine more. Wide receiver Will Fuller will also be the catalyst, as his 1,145 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns are something Ohio State will need to be weary of.
Both schools have had roller coaster seasons, as they were both ranked in the CFP top four before being knocked out of a playoff spot. Either way, this is easily the most exciting matchup that isn't a College Football Playoff seminal game.
HOW THEY STACK UP:
Notre Dame
Record: 10-2
College Football Playoff ranking: No. 8
Points per game: 34.8 (31st)
Points against per game: 22.4 (32nd)
Total Offense: 471.5 yards per game (26th)
Passing Yards: 256.7 (37th)
Rushing Yards: 214.8 (25th)
Total Defense: 362.4 (38th)
Passing Yards Allowed: 195.9 (28th)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 166.5 (63rd)
Turnover Differential: -5 (T-99th)
Ohio State
Record: 11-1
College Football Playoff ranking: No. 7
Points per game: 35 (T-28th)
Points against per game: 14 (2nd)
Total Offense: 428.9 yards per game (42nd)
Passing Yards: 187 (104th)
Rushing Yards: 241.9 (12th)
Total Defense: 303.5 (10th)
Passing Yards Allowed: 176.2 (12th)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 127.3 (21st)
Turnover Differential: +2 (T-50th)
WHY NOTRE DAME COULD WIN: Notre Dame isn't amazing at anything, but it finds a way to win games it has no business winning. Kizer is similar to Barrett, but not nearly as good. Instead, he'll feed Fuller downfield, as he's expected to be the best wide receiver in the Fiesta Bowl. Not to mention, if C.J. Prosise can get back on the field one last time this season, even Ohio State's stout defense will have a hard time shutting down two very volatile arsenals.
WHY OHIO STATE COULD WIN: Ohio State is far from an offensive team this year. Sure, Barrett and Elliott can run the ball, but if the Irish are expecting it (and they are), then putting the ball in the air is a must. Notre Dame is a middle-of-the-pack defensive team, but don't expect much offense in this one. If the Buckeyes are going to win, it's because of its stone-wall defense, which ranks second in the nation in points allowed.
IMPACT PLAYER TO WATCH: EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, RB, OHIO STATE
Ohio State's success will depend on how Elliott performs. In the Buckeyes' lone loss this season to Michigan State, Elliott didn't get the ball nearly enough with just 12 carries. Yes, it was rainy, and sloppy, and the Spartans won on a field goal, but the running back made it evident after the game that he deserved the ball more - and he was right. A week later, all eyes were on him to see if he could put his money where his mouth is. Elliott rushed all over Michigan for 214 yards and two touchdowns on a season-high 30 attempts in a 42-13 rout. So if he goes off, Notre Dame doesn't stand a chance.