Both teams teams rank #1-#2 in drive efficiency, and a reason these two are in this position for the title.
I recommend the website:
bcftoys.com
Maybe you can make sense of these stats (points per drive and time per drive) for their offense and defense. Ohio St opponents basically average a minute per drive, one of the lowest in the nation.
ND usually starts games off playing a field position strategy.They have at least two NFL prospects who will be starting on Sundays on that front line. This is how they beat Georgia (was not a fluke game). Good tackle evading rushes from Love, also Leonard.
ND +16 in turnovers. They will need a turnover in this game. Howard has 10 INTs--he could get careless here.
Ohio St is improving in offense as the season progresses, and this is a challenge for opponents, as they have evolved effective rushing counter plays, RPOs off of it, and the players now have these better offensive plays finely tuned ...obviousl6y a credit to Chip Kelley's game planning. ND better be sharp early, because will get more difficult....
1st qtr lowest scoring quarter
Love anytime TD
Will Howard to throw an INT
Will Howard over 1+/1.5 TD passes
OSU TE Herbrstreit over 50 yards
...................................
In game:
will wait to see a low scoring 1st quarter, watching the live total dip to around 40-42 (from 45) and play the total over at that point. Don't believ in a Georgie like game, more of a Penn St type scoring (Ohio St connecting where PSU could not).
ND can play well, have several highlights, and still lose by 17. Riley Leonard's stats don't bear out a great game through the air, but ND was in the top five in starting field position, and with a good running game, he isn't going to be slinging it all over the field for them, esp early in any game.
ND wants a game similar to how they played Georgia, and how OSU lost to Michigan. Field position, moving the chains. I will likely be playing OSU in game.
It helps OSU prepare for this game to see the film vs PSU, a common opponent. Allar (PSU QB) is NOT an accurate downfield passer but Howard is, with 33 TDs on the season.
ND needs a lot of Irish luck, at least 3 turnovers, a great passing game from Leonard (over 200 yards) , great rushing game from Love (over 100 yds)...., just to have a shot with time running down. Too much to ask....
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