Fiesta Bowl 2016: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Pregame Comments, Predictions
The College Football Playoff showdowns are inherently interesting with a national title at stake, but the Fiesta Bowl clash between Ohio State and Notre Dame would likely be the headliner if the 2015-16 bowl slate was the schedule for a midseason Saturday.
The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish are two of the most storied programs in college football history, and Urban Meyer and Brian Kelly would be on anyone’s short list of the best coaches in the nation. What’s more, few fanbases—if any—are as large and passionate as these two, so the atmosphere should match the intensity on the field.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Ohio State took home the national title last season, and both schools were in the thick of the playoff race for the majority of 2015. A win in Friday’s Fiesta Bowl could put the victor near the top of the preseason polls in 2016 and in prime position to once again challenge for a championship.
With that in mind, here is a look at some pregame comments from the two sides, as well as a handful of predictions for the game.
Comments
There could be some concern on Ohio State’s side that the team will not be quite as motivated for a mere bowl game after playing for a national title last season. Quarterback J.T. Barrett addressed that, per David Jablonski of the Dayton Daily News: “It’s going to be anticipated. It’s going to be a highly watched game. I think that’s keeping our guys going.”
Another potential issue for the Buckeyes is their list of playmakers looking ahead to the NFL draft. Meyer said “the focus is on winning this bowl game,” when asked about the possible distraction, per Eric Seger of Eleven Warriors.
Meyer implied his team would be up for playing in the Fiesta Bowl, per Seger:
"There's indicators, I've mentioned that all season, when you're defending national champs and this, this and this. We had a great indicator...We played a team that didn't have a lot of affection for Ohio State and played as hard as we could and won a game. I'd anticipate that we'd play our tails off.
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Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly talked about what his team will be facing, per Fox Sports:
"So I think it starts with that physical dimension, physical (defensive) front. Joey Bosa coming off the edge, a pass rusher. Physical front, physical offensive line, running the football. That's what kind of stands out as the demeanor of an Ohio State football team, physical, and then just well-coached in all areas, including the special teams.
It's Ohio State. They're the defending national champs. It's a darned good football team, but I think we know who we are, and we've been tested by some very, very good football teams. This will be another stern test by another very good football team.
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Motivation doesn't appear to be an issue for either side with Midwest bragging rights on the line between two programs that haven't met since the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.
Predictions
Notre Dame Will Have Success Running Through the Middle
Ohio State star defensive lineman and potential first-round draft pick Adolphus Washington was suspended for the Fiesta Bowl after receiving a citation for solicitation in December. That alone would be a concern, but fellow defensive tackle Tommy Schutt is also out with a broken foot.
That leaves the Buckeyes particularly thin along the defensive front, which means Joel Hale, Donovan Munger, Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill will be asked to shoulder much of the load. Hale is a senior, but Munger, Sprinkle and Hill are all sophomores.
The Buckeyes could also shift Joey Bosa to the inside, but that negates his ability to explode past tackles on the outside and force double-teams from guards.
Notre Dame will likely look to attack the middle of the defense on the ground, especially since Ohio State’s dangerous secondary ranked 12th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game as of Wednesday. The only concern with that game plan from the Fighting Irish’s perspective is the fact running back C.J. Prosise missed the regular-season finale against Stanford with an ankle sprain and is still working his way back.
If Prosise plays, Notre Dame will have a 1,032-yard rusher anchoring the offense against a depleted Ohio State defensive line. Even if Prosise is limited, Josh Adams averaged 7.4 yards per carry this season, while quarterback DeShone Kizer ran for 499 yards himself.
The Fighting Irish will have success early and often on the ground against the Ohio State defense, which will force the Buckeyes offense to keep pace.
Braxton Miller Will Make At Least Two Impact Plays
One way Ohio State will keep pace is fifth-year senior Braxton Miller.
The quarterback-turned-receiver stuck with the program during its most tumultuous hours in recent memory when it struggled through a coaching change in 2011 and was banned from postseason play in 2012 because of violations committed under former head coach Jim Tressel.
He was the key figure on Meyer’s first Ohio State team that finished undefeated and set the foundation for the immediate success and the national title run under the three-time champion coach.
It was likely somewhat bittersweet for Miller that he didn’t have the opportunity to play for last season’s national championship because of injury. He blazed the path for that group and only got to enjoy the ultimate reward from the sidelines.
Few players have been more important to the Scarlet and Gray in recent history, and the coaching staff will take that into account when drawing up the game plan. Look for Ohio State to force Miller the ball in space so he has the chance to go out with a memorable performance.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, he has the electricity and talent to make sure those opportunities turn into points on the scoreboard.
Ezekiel Elliott Will Prove to be the Difference
Notre Dame’s run defense ranks 65th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game as of Wednesday, which is a major concern against Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliott was one of the best playmakers in the country this season and will find large enough holes to burst through against the Fighting Irish’s front seven to carry his team to victory. He finished with 1,672 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on the season and posted 6.4 yards per carry as the focal point for the offense.
He also has the propensity to show up at the biggest moments. He torched Wisconsin (220 rushing yards and two scores), Alabama (230 rushing yards and two scores) and Oregon (246 rushing yards and four scores) last season on the way to the title and steamrolled Michigan (214 rushing yards and two scores) this season when his team needed a victory following a heartbreaking defeat to Michigan State.
This is Elliott’s last chance to make an on-field impression for scouts before the NFL draft as a potential first-rounder. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller recently saw Elliott as a first-rounder even though the NFL has shifted toward a more pass-happy style of offense:
"Elliott ranks high on my big board, but that comes with the knowledge that teams may not be willing to invest in a Round 1 running back in 2016. If so, the value is there, as he's a true three-down running back, and he's a great fit in Denver given his ability to make plays in a zone-blocking scheme and the added bonus of being a capable receiver and great pass-blocker.
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That type of skill set is nearly impossible to contain for four quarters, and the Fighting Irish will fail to do just that.
Prediction: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 24
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