Tonight’s national championship game may be low-scoring, but don't hold your breath thinking it will be without any touchdowns. Someone will find the end zone. Most likely, multiple players will cross the goal line.
Let’s find some Ohio State vs. Notre Dame anytime touchdown picks, ones best suited for a slower pace with an emphasis on the ground game at kickoff at 7:30 ET on Monday, January 20.
Ohio State anytime touchdown pick
Quinshon Judkins anytime touchdown (-115 at BetMGM)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense is not getting enough appreciation. It is excellent at limiting big plays, preferring a “bend don’t break” approach that eventually capitalizes on opponents’ mistakes.
In 15 games, the Irish have given up exactly 15 plays of 30 or more yards. That rate of one per game ranks No. 6 in the country. Notre Dame will emphasize long possessions tonight, not afraid of giving up 4-, 5- and 6-yard rushes because it is simply unlikely that even the Ohio State Buckeyes can string together a 15-play drive without falling behind the chains.
To a degree, every Buckeyes red-zone possession will be seen as a small Irish success, because at least they did not break off an explosive touchdown to TreVeyon Henderson or Jeremiah Smith.
Those modest Irish successes will yield opportunities for Quinshon Judkins. He is the bigger of Ohio State’s two primary running backs, and he has been used in that bruising role, taking 51 more carries than Henderson this season.
In particular, Judkins sees more work near the goal line, taking 31 red-zone carries for nine touchdowns compared to Henderson’s 27 for six scores. As Notre Dame bends, Judkins will end up with more rushes near paydirt.
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Notre Dame anytime touchdown pick
Riley Leonard anytime touchdown (+125 at BetMGM)
Tonight’s broadcast will almost assuredly have a full package prepared to discuss Notre Dame’s shifting offensive line. Let’s quickly rattle through the adjustments by position.
Left tackle Charles Jagusah tore his pectoral in August, costing him four months of work and pushing freshman Anthonie Knapp into a starting role. Knapp then played excellently for the entire season, only to suffer a high ankle sprain in the Orange Bowl, sidelining him this week.
Right guard Billy Schrauth sprained his ankle earlier in the season, costing him a few weeks. Rocco Spindler played so well in Schrauth’s absence, that Schrauth returned at left guard, knocking Sam Pendleton to the second unit. Spindler then sprained his ankle in the Orange Bowl, replaced for that second half by Jagusah.
But Jagusah is expected to start at left tackle tonight, so Spindler’s backup is now Pendleton.
And at center, starter Ashton Craig tore an ACL, pushing Pat Coogan into a starting role for much of the season. Coogan has become an emotional leader.
Now, if Spindler’s ankle does not hamper him and if Jagusah quickly feels comfortable, then that offensive line just might be all right against Ohio State’s imposing defensive line. But those are two rather foreboding “if” propositions.
More likely, the Irish need to find ways to help their offensive line against the best defensive line in college football. Near the goal line, one means of finding that help will be to keep the ball in quarterback Riley Leonard’s hands, using the running backs as additional blockers and/or putting defensive ends into conflict on read-option designs.
Leonard has scored 13 times on touchdown runs within the red zone. If Notre Dame can sustain a drive, it likely will ask its veteran quarterback to cap the drive. His 39 red-zone carries lead the Irish, eight more than even star running back Jeremiyah Love has enjoyed.
Not intended for use in MA.
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