Fiesta Bowl 2016: TV Schedule, Odds, Predictions for Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

For the first time in a decade, Notre Dame and Ohio State will take the field in a rematch of the 2006 Fiesta Bowl which Ohio State won 34-20. 

It will be just the sixth meeting between the schools, with Ohio State winning the last three. The Irish last took down the Buckeyes in 1936.

Ohio State enters the game as heavy favorites, but many of Notre Dame's strengths appear to match up well against the Buckeyes. 

Date	Time (E.T)	Matchup (Spread)	Location
Friday, Jan. 1	1 p.m.	Ohio State (-7) vs. Notre Dame	Glendale, Arizona

Key Matchups and Storylines

Joey Bosa vs. Notre Dame Offensive Line

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The star of Ohio State's defense, Joey Bosa, will face his toughest challenge of the season against one of the nation's elite offensive line units. 

According to CFB Film Room, the Irish line has been one of the most effective in the nation, as the starting unit has been responsible for just nine sacks this season:

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Final regular season pass protection numbers for Notre Dame o-line pic.twitter.com/5vXJSr4p5g

— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) December 4, 2015"

Bosa tends to line up on the left side of Ohio State's defensive line, which will match him up against Notre Dame right tackle Mike McGlinchey in most situations. 

However, the Buckeyes do get creative at times and move Bosa around, which may be necessary to penetrate this offensive line. 

The matchup NFL scouts will be hoping to see is Bosa versus Ronnie Stanley. Both prospects are potential top-10 picks in next year's NFL draft. 

Replacing Ohio State Defensive Tackle Adolphus Washington

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

According to Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State senior defensive lineman Adolphus Washington has been suspended for the Fiesta Bowl after being charged with a first-degree misdemeanor of solicitation on Wednesday.

The absence of Washington, a potential first-round draft pick, leaves a gaping hope in the middle of the Buckeyes defensive line. 

According to Eric Seger of ElevenWarriors.com, some combination of Michael Hill, Tommy Schutt and Joel Hale will likely be called upon to play a larger percentage of snaps to fill in for Washington.

While Washington plays a key role in the Buckeyes run defense, his absence may actually be felt most against the pass. 

Aside from Bosa, no Buckeyes lineman pressured the quarterback more than Washington this season:

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Ohio State leaders in QB pressures: Joey Bosa, 55, Adolphus Washington, 27 Tyquan Lewis, 19 Darron Lee, 18 Sam Hubbard, 14

— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) December 11, 2015"

With Bosa and Washington, the Buckeyes were able to generate pressure on the edge and up the middle. Losing Washington removes half of that equation and could dramatically impact the Buckeyes' ability to rattle Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer. 

Notre Dame Rushing Attack

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State boasts the nation's 18th-ranked rushing defense based on yards per attempt allowed, which doesn't bode well for the Irish. 

Notre Dame faced two Power Five conference schools ranked in the top 40 in rushing defense (Clemson and Boston College). Those two games were also the only two times this season the Irish rushing attack averaged fewer than four yards per carry. 

Starting running back C.J. Prosise, who suffered an ankle injury against Boston College and missed the season finale against Stanford, is expected to return to practice soon, according to Eric Hansen of the South Bend Tribune.

In Prosise's absence, freshman Josh Adams emerged, rushing for 168 yards in a loss to Stanford. 

With the extra experience Adams gained late in the season, he may see a larger role against Ohio State, even with a healthy Prosise. 

Adams was given just two carries in the Irish's early October loss to Clemson. With the freshman able to take on a larger role, Notre Dame may be better prepared for Ohio State's defense. 

Final Prediction

The defending national champs are obviously disappointed about playing in the Fiesta Bowl. With so many Buckeyes headed to the NFL in April, it would be easy for them to tune out their coaches and coast through the final month of practice.

Normally, the underdog fares well in these scenarios, but not when Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is involved. 

Meyer has an impressive 8-2 record in bowl games and should be able to convince his leaders to focus on this game in an effort to build momentum heading into 2016. 

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Notre Dame 21