This is Vson's college football betting podcast. Welcome in another edition of the Vson College Football Betting Podcast.

This is Vson's college football betting podcast. Welcome in another edition of the Vson College Football Betting Podcast.

I'm your host, Tim Murray. It's been a busy week, as it should be. The National Championship on Monday night. Just a quick reminder for those of you looking to consume the National Championship in many forms. Myself met humans will be live on the air on VSIN during the National Championship, a little alt cast, so to speak, seven to eleven pm Eastern Time. If you just want to see my pain, that's fine too. We're also now on Serious XM Channel one fifty eight, So fired up about that the vson Watch app. Wherever you get Vson, Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast. Hopefully you've enjoyed our content leading up to the National Championship, and I wanted to do this today to get the perspective from the folks covering the teams. We'll hear from Andrew Gillis of Cleveland dot Com a little bit later on in the podcast, he covers Ohio State, but a friend of the podcast because he's been on before, and he was actually on during August when the breaking news came out that Charles Jagasaw, the projected starter at left tackle, would be lost for the year due to a peck injury. Lo and behold, he will be starting at left tackle more than likely in the National Championship. It is Pete Sampson from The Athletic. Make sure you give him a follow on social media at Pete Sampson Underscore and read all his great content as well as check out his podcast with Matt Fortuna The Independent. Pete, you're down there in Atlanta and you've been obviously following this team all around the country these past couple of weeks. What's kind of the feel? What was just the vibe in South Bend this week from the players? Is here we go again, Round three against Ohio State. In the last three seasons.

I'm your host, Tim Murray. It's been a busy week, as it should be. The National Championship on Monday night. Just a quick reminder for those of you looking to consume the National Championship in many forms. Myself met humans will be live on the air on VSIN during the National Championship, a little alt cast, so to speak, seven to eleven pm Eastern Time. If you just want to see my pain, that's fine too. We're also now on Serious XM Channel one fifty eight, So fired up about that the vson Watch app. Wherever you get Vson, Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast. Hopefully you've enjoyed our content leading up to the National Championship, and I wanted to do this today to get the perspective from the folks covering the teams. We'll hear from Andrew Gillis of Cleveland dot Com a little bit later on in the podcast, he covers Ohio State, but a friend of the podcast because he's been on before, and he was actually on during August when the breaking news came out that Charles Jagasaw, the projected starter at left tackle, would be lost for the year due to a peck injury. Lo and behold, he will be starting at left tackle more than likely in the National Championship. It is Pete Sampson from The Athletic. Make sure you give him a follow on social media at Pete Sampson Underscore and read all his great content as well as check out his podcast with Matt Fortuna The Independent. Pete, you're down there in Atlanta and you've been obviously following this team all around the country these past couple of weeks. What's kind of the feel? What was just the vibe in South Bend this week from the players? Is here we go again, Round three against Ohio State. In the last three seasons.

It feels strange to say, like the round three because it feels totally separate from the home and home and I think that the players are also sort of like we're in class again. It's a that part is weird that we're into the second semester now, you know, I think people are still in a like I'm talking about the sort of around South Bend a bit in a daze that this is even happening, So it's I mean, it's an exciting time, like Notre Dame is a small town, or South Bend is a small town with a big school and that you know, for how much national I guess attention Notre Dame gets to be living in South Bend when this is happening, feels a little bit more akin to like a high school basketball team making a run through the state tournament. So it's a lot of people greeting you with go Irish, bidding you from well with go Irish. It definitely feels like sort of everyone's on the bandwagon round South End.

It feels strange to say, like the round three because it feels totally separate from the home and home and I think that the players are also sort of like we're in class again. It's a that part is weird that we're into the second semester now, you know, I think people are still in a like I'm talking about the sort of around South Bend a bit in a daze that this is even happening, So it's I mean, it's an exciting time, like Notre Dame is a small town, or South Bend is a small town with a big school and that you know, for how much national I guess attention Notre Dame gets to be living in South Bend when this is happening, feels a little bit more akin to like a high school basketball team making a run through the state tournament. So it's a lot of people greeting you with go Irish, bidding you from well with go Irish. It definitely feels like sort of everyone's on the bandwagon round South End.

It is a running joke with some buddies of mine because when we were down in Miami, I met up with some high school friends and a couple of them are you know, casual Notre Dame fans, not to the level that I'm at or my buddy who went to Notre Dame. But yeah, it was the go Irish Hello is always is always a fun one. You know. Ohio State's got their own one too, Ohio, so you'll hear plenty of that, and I imagine the atmosphere will be great. I thought the atmosphere in Miami was phenomenal. But let's dive into this game and so many kind of unique storylines. Let's start with the one that I mentioned. Offensive line. I think Molly McGrath kind of broke the news in a report from South Bend. It's not that surprising, but is Charles Jagasaw, the season projected starter at left tackle pete as he expected to make his first start of the season at left tackle?

It is a running joke with some buddies of mine because when we were down in Miami, I met up with some high school friends and a couple of them are you know, casual Notre Dame fans, not to the level that I'm at or my buddy who went to Notre Dame. But yeah, it was the go Irish Hello is always is always a fun one. You know. Ohio State's got their own one too, Ohio, so you'll hear plenty of that, and I imagine the atmosphere will be great. I thought the atmosphere in Miami was phenomenal. But let's dive into this game and so many kind of unique storylines. Let's start with the one that I mentioned. Offensive line. I think Molly McGrath kind of broke the news in a report from South Bend. It's not that surprising, but is Charles Jagasaw, the season projected starter at left tackle pete as he expected to make his first start of the season at left tackle?

He is. That's kind of what my sources had told me. Miley McGrath got it straight from Charles Jagasaw. I saw her interviewing him after during the media availability this week. So yeah, that's the season's been so long that a season ending injury is no longer season ending. But I do think like from Notre Dame's point of view, if you're going to lose Anthony Napp and Rocko Spindler, your best case scenario was having Jagasaw started at left tackle and Spindler getting back at right guard. And it looks like that Notredame will at least open the game that way against Ohio to stand on Monday.

He is. That's kind of what my sources had told me. Miley McGrath got it straight from Charles Jagasaw. I saw her interviewing him after during the media availability this week. So yeah, that's the season's been so long that a season ending injury is no longer season ending. But I do think like from Notre Dame's point of view, if you're going to lose Anthony Napp and Rocko Spindler, your best case scenario was having Jagasaw started at left tackle and Spindler getting back at right guard. And it looks like that Notredame will at least open the game that way against Ohio to stand on Monday.

So when you look at this offensive line, how would you compare it to the challenge that they have in front of them on Monday Night against you know, JT Tooey Malau or I'll just call him JTT, a guy that Notre Dame saw last year and Notre Dame fans remember, had the big stop on that screen pass that could have salted it away for the Irish. Instead, he gets to stop and the rest is history. Ohio it ends up winning that game. When you look at the defensive front for Ohio State and the offensive line for Notre Dame that has dealt with injuries, is it a massive advantage? Is it a little bit of advantage? Where would you swing the pendulum for Ohio State D line versus Notre Dame O line.

So when you look at this offensive line, how would you compare it to the challenge that they have in front of them on Monday Night against you know, JT Tooey Malau or I'll just call him JTT, a guy that Notre Dame saw last year and Notre Dame fans remember, had the big stop on that screen pass that could have salted it away for the Irish. Instead, he gets to stop and the rest is history. Ohio it ends up winning that game. When you look at the defensive front for Ohio State and the offensive line for Notre Dame that has dealt with injuries, is it a massive advantage? Is it a little bit of advantage? Where would you swing the pendulum for Ohio State D line versus Notre Dame O line.

I mean it's a clear advantage for Ohio State. I don't I don't know how to compare it to Penn State because I thought Penn State had the best player in Abdull Carter compared to what but I think Ohio State might have the second, third, fourth, and fifth best player if you just looked at the starting five for both. So I mean abdual car are basically wreck Notre Name's game plan. They're not I don't think they're going to be able to double JTT or Jack Sawyer, the way that they were able to sort of build a game plan around Abdul Carter, So that that makes it incredibly difficult to me for Notre Dame. I think they're going to have to be very very much on their stuff on the offensive line. I think to just function offensively because I think that Ohio State really they're just they're starting four pros. I don't It's not like Clemson four pros and twenty eighteen if you remember that with Dexter Lawrence and liking on the defensive end that got drafted by the Raiders in the top five. But it's not that far Ron Ferrell, yeah, Colin Farrell, It's it's Cleveland Farrell. Yeah, it's not that far off that.

I mean it's a clear advantage for Ohio State. I don't I don't know how to compare it to Penn State because I thought Penn State had the best player in Abdull Carter compared to what but I think Ohio State might have the second, third, fourth, and fifth best player if you just looked at the starting five for both. So I mean abdual car are basically wreck Notre Name's game plan. They're not I don't think they're going to be able to double JTT or Jack Sawyer, the way that they were able to sort of build a game plan around Abdul Carter, So that that makes it incredibly difficult to me for Notre Dame. I think they're going to have to be very very much on their stuff on the offensive line. I think to just function offensively because I think that Ohio State really they're just they're starting four pros. I don't It's not like Clemson four pros and twenty eighteen if you remember that with Dexter Lawrence and liking on the defensive end that got drafted by the Raiders in the top five. But it's not that far Ron Ferrell, yeah, Colin Farrell, It's it's Cleveland Farrell. Yeah, it's not that far off that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So that's it's definitely an advantage for Ohio State.

So that's it's definitely an advantage for Ohio State.

All right, Pete. When you look at Notre Dame from an offensive standpoint, I would say, you know, we'll dive into defense for Notre Dame versus offense for Ohio State, which is kind of strength on strength. I would say it's pretty clear that the weakness of the four units in totality would be the Notre Dame offense. Not that Notre Dame's offenses a bunch of Jabbroni's but they struggle a little bit. So a discussion that has been brought up a lot, you know in the gambling world, has been there doesn't seem to be a clear path. The success for the Irish offensively outside of turnovers, team total is sitting at like seventeen and a half eighteen and a half peat. So when you look at Notre Dame's offense and what we've seen the last couple of games, facing their toughest defensive tests to date, what do you expect for Notre Dame and how do they have success against this Ohio State defense, which by some metrics is the best defense in the country.

All right, Pete. When you look at Notre Dame from an offensive standpoint, I would say, you know, we'll dive into defense for Notre Dame versus offense for Ohio State, which is kind of strength on strength. I would say it's pretty clear that the weakness of the four units in totality would be the Notre Dame offense. Not that Notre Dame's offenses a bunch of Jabbroni's but they struggle a little bit. So a discussion that has been brought up a lot, you know in the gambling world, has been there doesn't seem to be a clear path. The success for the Irish offensively outside of turnovers, team total is sitting at like seventeen and a half eighteen and a half peat. So when you look at Notre Dame's offense and what we've seen the last couple of games, facing their toughest defensive tests to date, what do you expect for Notre Dame and how do they have success against this Ohio State defense, which by some metrics is the best defense in the country.

Yeah, I think for how much time people are spending on Jeremiah Smith and Will Howard and tre Van Henderson, like my big concern for Not Rame's own offense and like whether they can score twenty points. So I think that you've got to when your offensive line has to play above what they've played all year, you need Jeremiah Love healthy. I'm told that he's much closer to sort of the Georgia game pre game than he was coming out of that game. That's a positive. I think you got to get creative with Anias Williams in the in the past game, I think Texas had some success with blue. They're running back out of the backfield against the Buckeyes, So how do you take advantage of that? You know, can you create let's say four thirty yard pass plays, four chunk plays, that would be a season high for Notre Dame. They put up three against Penn State and that made the difference. You had Mitchell Evan's Jaden greathhouse. You know, each had a couple great house being the touchdown there. Yeah, it's I think you just got to you got to take shots in the past game, but then also really have Riley Leonard empty the tank in the run game, Like this is a game where he could have fifteen carries and that would be a positive for Notre Dame. So it's it's weird. I feel like I'm saying they need to play ball control but also take deep shots, which like you got like somehow you got to do both because you're going to have to help your defense a little bit by holding outo the ball. And I think one thing that's sort of gotten lost in the announcedis this game is like, how does not Raams stap Ohio State. Well, they did it each of the last two years, so I mean one of those was was CJ. Stroud, who's a heck of a lot better than Will Howard. So I I think no Raames defense, and they're all like they know how to play a complimentary game plan against Ohio State. It's just can you just do a little bit more on offense than you did last year against them? Rydlea Leonard will help you, but you also got to push the ball vertically. It's a couple of times and connect on a couple of those.

Yeah, I think for how much time people are spending on Jeremiah Smith and Will Howard and tre Van Henderson, like my big concern for Not Rame's own offense and like whether they can score twenty points. So I think that you've got to when your offensive line has to play above what they've played all year, you need Jeremiah Love healthy. I'm told that he's much closer to sort of the Georgia game pre game than he was coming out of that game. That's a positive. I think you got to get creative with Anias Williams in the in the past game, I think Texas had some success with blue. They're running back out of the backfield against the Buckeyes, So how do you take advantage of that? You know, can you create let's say four thirty yard pass plays, four chunk plays, that would be a season high for Notre Dame. They put up three against Penn State and that made the difference. You had Mitchell Evan's Jaden greathhouse. You know, each had a couple great house being the touchdown there. Yeah, it's I think you just got to you got to take shots in the past game, but then also really have Riley Leonard empty the tank in the run game, Like this is a game where he could have fifteen carries and that would be a positive for Notre Dame. So it's it's weird. I feel like I'm saying they need to play ball control but also take deep shots, which like you got like somehow you got to do both because you're going to have to help your defense a little bit by holding outo the ball. And I think one thing that's sort of gotten lost in the announcedis this game is like, how does not Raams stap Ohio State. Well, they did it each of the last two years, so I mean one of those was was CJ. Stroud, who's a heck of a lot better than Will Howard. So I I think no Raames defense, and they're all like they know how to play a complimentary game plan against Ohio State. It's just can you just do a little bit more on offense than you did last year against them? Rydlea Leonard will help you, but you also got to push the ball vertically. It's a couple of times and connect on a couple of those.

Now, Pete, you and I text a lot, probably more than you would hope for because I'm annoying. But you mentioned fifteen rushing attempts and I don't know if you did that on purpose, but that is the number at fan Duel right now. Fourteen and a half is the over under on rushing attempts for Riley Leonard. And as I've mentioned a million times, this will be the million in first time. Rushing attempts include sacks, So if Riley Leonard gets sacked, that is a rushing attempt. Fourteen and a half is the number. What's interesting about that number is that he's eclipsed that one time this year, but it was the Penn State game. He ran for eighteen carries in that game. Once again, Sacks included how much do you anticipate Riley Leonard to be utilized here? And is this a spot where he looks out? Okay, Faison is covered, I'm going to take off and run. How much do you expect Riley Leonard to use his legs? And do you think we eclipse fourteen and a half carries in this game for Riley Leonard?

Now, Pete, you and I text a lot, probably more than you would hope for because I'm annoying. But you mentioned fifteen rushing attempts and I don't know if you did that on purpose, but that is the number at fan Duel right now. Fourteen and a half is the over under on rushing attempts for Riley Leonard. And as I've mentioned a million times, this will be the million in first time. Rushing attempts include sacks, So if Riley Leonard gets sacked, that is a rushing attempt. Fourteen and a half is the number. What's interesting about that number is that he's eclipsed that one time this year, but it was the Penn State game. He ran for eighteen carries in that game. Once again, Sacks included how much do you anticipate Riley Leonard to be utilized here? And is this a spot where he looks out? Okay, Faison is covered, I'm going to take off and run. How much do you expect Riley Leonard to use his legs? And do you think we eclipse fourteen and a half carries in this game for Riley Leonard?

Yes, I would bet the over on that one. I think it's in theory, should be indicative of a lot of scrambles, maybe three or four third and two rushing attempt quarterback sneaks, I would, And I would also I know this one kind of a rushing attempt, but like I'd just like to see Notre Dame get him out of the pocket to help the offensive line. I think that Ohio State secondary is good, don't get me wrong, but like I think, if you have a quarterback who's outside the pocket and you change the angles of the throw, you make the DB's guard for five six seconds, Like that's hard to do even if you're Caleb down, so I think that you need to have Ryley Leonard improvise, but also sort of like lean into his legs, which is the best part about him as a quarterback. So I would. I would. I have a hard time seeing that not hit over. Whether Notre Dame wins or not, it will hit over because it was sacks if they lose going away, it will hit over on rushing attempts if they win or it's close. So that's one of those I feel like that's going to go over either way.

Yes, I would bet the over on that one. I think it's in theory, should be indicative of a lot of scrambles, maybe three or four third and two rushing attempt quarterback sneaks, I would, And I would also I know this one kind of a rushing attempt, but like I'd just like to see Notre Dame get him out of the pocket to help the offensive line. I think that Ohio State secondary is good, don't get me wrong, but like I think, if you have a quarterback who's outside the pocket and you change the angles of the throw, you make the DB's guard for five six seconds, Like that's hard to do even if you're Caleb down, so I think that you need to have Ryley Leonard improvise, but also sort of like lean into his legs, which is the best part about him as a quarterback. So I would. I would. I have a hard time seeing that not hit over. Whether Notre Dame wins or not, it will hit over because it was sacks if they lose going away, it will hit over on rushing attempts if they win or it's close. So that's one of those I feel like that's going to go over either way.

Yeah, thirty six and a half is the rushing yards. I would stay away from it because once again, sack yardage hurts you in that spot. So looking at the running back of Jeremiah Love at forty one and a half, Jadarian Price twenty five and a half, and then Niis Williams at ten and a half. These all courtesy of FanDuel. Once again, take a look around. So if you get better prices depending on what you ultimately want to do. Before we get to Love. Price is fascinating to me because initially my thought process was under he did not perform well against Penn State, very hesitant hitting the hole. The thought process also is that love is going to be healthier that all being set, I've talked to a couple of folks that I respect kind of looking at props, and they actually like his over in this game. What do you make of Jadari and Price and his role in this one? Because there was an expectation, Pete that he would be used a lot against Penn State and he wasn't And he also wasn't effective. So do you think we get a bounce back performance? Do we see less of Jedari and Price? What do you make of Notre Dame's backup running back heading into this one.

Yeah, thirty six and a half is the rushing yards. I would stay away from it because once again, sack yardage hurts you in that spot. So looking at the running back of Jeremiah Love at forty one and a half, Jadarian Price twenty five and a half, and then Niis Williams at ten and a half. These all courtesy of FanDuel. Once again, take a look around. So if you get better prices depending on what you ultimately want to do. Before we get to Love. Price is fascinating to me because initially my thought process was under he did not perform well against Penn State, very hesitant hitting the hole. The thought process also is that love is going to be healthier that all being set, I've talked to a couple of folks that I respect kind of looking at props, and they actually like his over in this game. What do you make of Jadari and Price and his role in this one? Because there was an expectation, Pete that he would be used a lot against Penn State and he wasn't And he also wasn't effective. So do you think we get a bounce back performance? Do we see less of Jedari and Price? What do you make of Notre Dame's backup running back heading into this one.

I mean, it's probably a cop out, but I would just stay away from that one because I feel like he's.

I mean, it's probably a cop out, but I would just stay away from that one because I feel like he's.

Sometimes that's the best thing you gotta do in gambling, right.

Sometimes that's the best thing you gotta do in gambling, right.

Pete, like he could be good. I feel like if he had ten rushes, let's just say his ten rushing attempts in this game, nine of them are probably going to go for three yards or less. One of them could go for fifty five. It just he's been that kind of back all season, with the exception of the Georgia game, where I thought he ran incredibly hard, wasn't super productive in terms of the yardage, but I thought really laid it out there in a way that was just like, I'm going to get three yards on this no matter what against Penn State. I feel like he sort of got backed in some of his old habits of I'm going to bounce it outside. I've got good speed, like against Penn State, like nobody had good speed. So if there, I feel like if there was a back that I would bet on, it would probably would be a Nias Williams. You say that was like ten and a half.

Pete, like he could be good. I feel like if he had ten rushes, let's just say his ten rushing attempts in this game, nine of them are probably going to go for three yards or less. One of them could go for fifty five. It just he's been that kind of back all season, with the exception of the Georgia game, where I thought he ran incredibly hard, wasn't super productive in terms of the yardage, but I thought really laid it out there in a way that was just like, I'm going to get three yards on this no matter what against Penn State. I feel like he sort of got backed in some of his old habits of I'm going to bounce it outside. I've got good speed, like against Penn State, like nobody had good speed. So if there, I feel like if there was a back that I would bet on, it would probably would be a Nias Williams. You say that was like ten and a half.

Yards ten and a half rushing yards, Yeah, Yeah, that one I would go with.

Yards ten and a half rushing yards, Yeah, Yeah, that one I would go with.

If he had a receiving prop, I would probably go with that even more. I think that, Well, I'm glad you asked Pete. Let's we got all the answers here. So we've got a Niis Williams rushing ten and a half, a Niis Williams receiving that has been bet up and that's at twenty six and a half.

If he had a receiving prop, I would probably go with that even more. I think that, Well, I'm glad you asked Pete. Let's we got all the answers here. So we've got a Niis Williams rushing ten and a half, a Niis Williams receiving that has been bet up and that's at twenty six and a half.

And if you want to go combo platter, rushing and receiving forty one and a half. So for you looking at a Niis Williams who had his kind of coming out party against Penn State, which one of those threes would intrigue you the.

And if you want to go combo platter, rushing and receiving forty one and a half. So for you looking at a Niis Williams who had his kind of coming out party against Penn State, which one of those threes would intrigue you the.

Most, probably rushing. I wanted the receiving one to be lower, but I guess that's why they make good lines. Yeah, yeah, I think I would bet if I had to bet one, I would bet the rushing total going over love is just is hard to predict. I probably would go over there as well, but that's a tougher one. I think a Nias Williams is onto something in a way that he might give you might give notre name something that Jajarian Price doesn't.

Most, probably rushing. I wanted the receiving one to be lower, but I guess that's why they make good lines. Yeah, yeah, I think I would bet if I had to bet one, I would bet the rushing total going over love is just is hard to predict. I probably would go over there as well, but that's a tougher one. I think a Nias Williams is onto something in a way that he might give you might give notre name something that Jajarian Price doesn't.

On Monday Night.

On Monday Night.

All right, Pete pass catchers for the Irish, let's jump into this. It's kind of anyone's guests. We saw a great performance from Jaden Greathhouse last week against Penn State, first one hundred yard receiver for the Irish all season long, first one since Jordan Faison in the Sun Bowl. Mitchell Evans had a really good game last year against Ohio State. He had five catches against Penn State and then Jordan Faison. He stepped up in the win over Georgia and wasn't utilized all that much, even though they had a nice catch and run when Steve Angelli came in. So when you look at pass catchers for this game. Best bet of mine, by the way, that I gave out yesterday on the podcast was Bo Collins under fifteen and a half. I was actually surprised that books were offering that because of his calf injury. So we'll see how how effective he is if he is able to get on the field. If he doesn't get on the field, unfortunately, that would be avoided bet because he would not play. But from a pass catching standpoint, anyone you like or would stay away from. From the Notre Dame standpoint.

All right, Pete pass catchers for the Irish, let's jump into this. It's kind of anyone's guests. We saw a great performance from Jaden Greathhouse last week against Penn State, first one hundred yard receiver for the Irish all season long, first one since Jordan Faison in the Sun Bowl. Mitchell Evans had a really good game last year against Ohio State. He had five catches against Penn State and then Jordan Faison. He stepped up in the win over Georgia and wasn't utilized all that much, even though they had a nice catch and run when Steve Angelli came in. So when you look at pass catchers for this game. Best bet of mine, by the way, that I gave out yesterday on the podcast was Bo Collins under fifteen and a half. I was actually surprised that books were offering that because of his calf injury. So we'll see how how effective he is if he is able to get on the field. If he doesn't get on the field, unfortunately, that would be avoided bet because he would not play. But from a pass catching standpoint, anyone you like or would stay away from. From the Notre Dame standpoint.

I would fase On.

I would fase On.

I would like going over. I think of all the guys, he's probably the most likely one to do it. I like great House a lot. I thought that he would have gone over a lot more than he has this season. I don't know if he's gone over at all other than last week, So it's kind of hard to get behind that based on one performance. But if I had to choose one guy, who would be faise on and it's like Bo Collins is interesting. I think he absolutely will play based on sort of my intel on that one. But fifteen and a half is a pretty low number. That's essentially making one catch. But you know, he's sort of in and out the last couple of weeks.

I would like going over. I think of all the guys, he's probably the most likely one to do it. I like great House a lot. I thought that he would have gone over a lot more than he has this season. I don't know if he's gone over at all other than last week, So it's kind of hard to get behind that based on one performance. But if I had to choose one guy, who would be faise on and it's like Bo Collins is interesting. I think he absolutely will play based on sort of my intel on that one. But fifteen and a half is a pretty low number. That's essentially making one catch. But you know, he's sort of in and out the last couple of weeks.

Yeah, we'll see. That's kind of the bet there is if he does play, obviously then it would be action. And with that calf injury, is he kind of nullified? All right, Pete, before we let you run, let's flip over to the other side. And that's the fascinating one Ohio State's pass catchers against this Notre Dame secondary. Before we kind of get into props and all of that, what have you heard coming out of South Bend? Because everyone's kind of got their guests. I read your colleague Bruce Feldman's article. He was on our show VC in Primetime on Thursday night talking to anonymous coaches and essentially one of the coaches said, yeah, they're really good at Manda Man, but you can't just play Manda Man against Ohio State or they're going to smoke you. So have you been able to unearth anything? I know Notre Dame probably doesn't want the game plan out, but what do you anticipate Al Golden to do from a schematic standpoint against these elite pass catchers of Ohio State.

Yeah, we'll see. That's kind of the bet there is if he does play, obviously then it would be action. And with that calf injury, is he kind of nullified? All right, Pete, before we let you run, let's flip over to the other side. And that's the fascinating one Ohio State's pass catchers against this Notre Dame secondary. Before we kind of get into props and all of that, what have you heard coming out of South Bend? Because everyone's kind of got their guests. I read your colleague Bruce Feldman's article. He was on our show VC in Primetime on Thursday night talking to anonymous coaches and essentially one of the coaches said, yeah, they're really good at Manda Man, but you can't just play Manda Man against Ohio State or they're going to smoke you. So have you been able to unearth anything? I know Notre Dame probably doesn't want the game plan out, but what do you anticipate Al Golden to do from a schematic standpoint against these elite pass catchers of Ohio State.

I mean, I think we've sort of seen what he's going to do the last two years when Jeremiah Smith was played by Marvin Harrison, so you know, in those instances there was you know, Xavier Wats would sort of hang over the hash on whatever side Harrison was on. They put Morrison down below. Now that's Leonard Moore, and they would take their chances with that, and it worked. Like Marvin Harrison did nothing against Notre Dame of real consequence in either of the games he played against the Irish, So I think that's probably what's going to happen with Jeremiah Smith, and they'll take their chances with the Mecca Buca, who played well both times against Notre Dame. But overall, I don't think you would look at the Ohio State offense and think like, wow, they really picked a part Notre Dame's defense by scoring twenty one and seventeen points. So I think that they'll just sort of stick with what works. I think Notre Dame's linebackers are better in coverage now than they were then. I thought Cade Stover made an impact on the game last year that was significant. He's not here anymore. G Scott at tight end. You know, it's like Ken Jordan Clark deal with a Mecca BUCA better than Thomas Harper. Probably, can Christian Gray deal with, you know, Colonel Tate or a Mecca BUKA on the outside enough? Probably? I don't know. It's like I'm excited to see Jeremiah Smith in person. I do think that the fact that the media seems to have a bust of his in Canton already is a little presumptuous. He's a great player, don't get me wrong, but I have a very difficult time looking at him and thinking like that guy's better than Marvin Harrison right now, because I've seen Notre Dame take away Marvin Harrison already.

I mean, I think we've sort of seen what he's going to do the last two years when Jeremiah Smith was played by Marvin Harrison, so you know, in those instances there was you know, Xavier Wats would sort of hang over the hash on whatever side Harrison was on. They put Morrison down below. Now that's Leonard Moore, and they would take their chances with that, and it worked. Like Marvin Harrison did nothing against Notre Dame of real consequence in either of the games he played against the Irish, So I think that's probably what's going to happen with Jeremiah Smith, and they'll take their chances with the Mecca Buca, who played well both times against Notre Dame. But overall, I don't think you would look at the Ohio State offense and think like, wow, they really picked a part Notre Dame's defense by scoring twenty one and seventeen points. So I think that they'll just sort of stick with what works. I think Notre Dame's linebackers are better in coverage now than they were then. I thought Cade Stover made an impact on the game last year that was significant. He's not here anymore. G Scott at tight end. You know, it's like Ken Jordan Clark deal with a Mecca BUCA better than Thomas Harper. Probably, can Christian Gray deal with, you know, Colonel Tate or a Mecca BUKA on the outside enough? Probably? I don't know. It's like I'm excited to see Jeremiah Smith in person. I do think that the fact that the media seems to have a bust of his in Canton already is a little presumptuous. He's a great player, don't get me wrong, but I have a very difficult time looking at him and thinking like that guy's better than Marvin Harrison right now, because I've seen Notre Dame take away Marvin Harrison already.

So the one guy that I have not bet yet but I think i'm looking at betting on is a Mecca at BUCA. He's had some big games in previous seasons against the Irish. Over under on his receptions is around four and a half. You got to pay a decent amount of juice on that, and then his receiving yards is kind of in that fifty seven and a half ish range. He's played exceptionally well the last two years against Notre Dame. If it's going to be Christian Gray on him, do you think a guy like a mecha Buka could have a big night against Notre Dame.

So the one guy that I have not bet yet but I think i'm looking at betting on is a Mecca at BUCA. He's had some big games in previous seasons against the Irish. Over under on his receptions is around four and a half. You got to pay a decent amount of juice on that, and then his receiving yards is kind of in that fifty seven and a half ish range. He's played exceptionally well the last two years against Notre Dame. If it's going to be Christian Gray on him, do you think a guy like a mecha Buka could have a big night against Notre Dame.

Yes, yeah, that would be an over bet for me if I had to make one there. He's been really good against Notre Dame. He's been really good against a lot of teams, and I think that if you're going to man up and double Jeremiah Smith, then Buka has been able to get open against Christian Gray or Jordan Clark or However, Notre Dame tries to defend that, they're going to be defending it man to man with one person, so that's that's difficult. I'm not saying he's their best receiver, but I think you probably will be their most productive receiver on Monday Night.

Yes, yeah, that would be an over bet for me if I had to make one there. He's been really good against Notre Dame. He's been really good against a lot of teams, and I think that if you're going to man up and double Jeremiah Smith, then Buka has been able to get open against Christian Gray or Jordan Clark or However, Notre Dame tries to defend that, they're going to be defending it man to man with one person, so that's that's difficult. I'm not saying he's their best receiver, but I think you probably will be their most productive receiver on Monday Night.

What's your prediction? How you feeling my bet on this game? I played some first half under twenty three and a half and haven't gotten to the window yet. Not a lot of love out there for the Irish at least having a chance to win this game outright. There are some people including Matt Humans and West Reynolds on this podcast who think they can cover the game. But what's your feel on this game and how it plays out on Monday Night?

What's your prediction? How you feeling my bet on this game? I played some first half under twenty three and a half and haven't gotten to the window yet. Not a lot of love out there for the Irish at least having a chance to win this game outright. There are some people including Matt Humans and West Reynolds on this podcast who think they can cover the game. But what's your feel on this game and how it plays out on Monday Night?

I mean Ohio State is a very earned favorite in this game. I like the fact that Notre Dame has sort of dragged Ohio State into playing their style of football twice before. At the Athletic I want to say we had in our staff predictions. We had twenty people, and I want to say nineteen of them picked Ohio State to win. And that made me think, like, well, somebody's got to pick Notre Dame. So I picked Notre Dame twenty one twenty. I can't say I feel great about it. The path to get there is incredibly narrow for the Irish. But I also sort of look at this game. It's like, if you played it twenty times, I think Notre Dame would win a few of those times.

I mean Ohio State is a very earned favorite in this game. I like the fact that Notre Dame has sort of dragged Ohio State into playing their style of football twice before. At the Athletic I want to say we had in our staff predictions. We had twenty people, and I want to say nineteen of them picked Ohio State to win. And that made me think, like, well, somebody's got to pick Notre Dame. So I picked Notre Dame twenty one twenty. I can't say I feel great about it. The path to get there is incredibly narrow for the Irish. But I also sort of look at this game. It's like, if you played it twenty times, I think Notre Dame would win a few of those times.

Pete, can I jump in real quick?

Pete, can I jump in real quick?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Real quick? Can we just can we redo that you were just cutting in it out on that answer? All right? All right, all right, we're going to pick it up. Twenty two to seven, Ryan, twenty two to ten. Here we go, three two one, all right, Pete. Prediction time. Not a lot of people anticipating the Irish to win their first national title since nineteen eighty eight. I hopefully think that will happen. But I still have my pessimism, no doubt. What do you anticipate to happen and what's your prediction on what will happen Monday night in Atlanta?

Real quick? Can we just can we redo that you were just cutting in it out on that answer? All right? All right, all right, we're going to pick it up. Twenty two to seven, Ryan, twenty two to ten. Here we go, three two one, all right, Pete. Prediction time. Not a lot of people anticipating the Irish to win their first national title since nineteen eighty eight. I hopefully think that will happen. But I still have my pessimism, no doubt. What do you anticipate to happen and what's your prediction on what will happen Monday night in Atlanta?

I think, I mean Notre Dame is dragged Ohio State into a Notre Dame style of game twice in the last two years. I don't see any reason why that wouldn't happen again on Monday Night. Notre Dame has beaten better teams by playing incredibly complimentary football, special teams, blocks fakes, you know, strip sacks turning into touchdowns. That's Notre Dame's very narrow path to win. At the Athletic I think we had about twenty people on our staff predictions and nineteen of them picked Ohio State, and I felt like somebody has to pick Notre Dame, so it was me twenty one to twenty. I just feel like, if you played this game twenty times, Notre Dame will win it three, four, five times, six times. I don't know, but it doesn't. It doesn't feel like a game that should be a presumptive favorite, smashing underdog type of performance. So I got Notre Dame twenty one twenty. I'm not saying I feel good about it, but I do think Notre Dame should go into this game feeling pretty confident that it can play the game the way it wants to be played. And then we'll see if Ryan day Tens is up, if he looks across the sideline and sees the ghost of Lou Holtz and you know, and like, shouldn't we just pound the ball between the tackles on first and ten instead of throwing it? And like, you know, if you can get Ohio State thinking a little bit, then you know which team would is going to feel more tense or more pressure on Monday night. I think it's gonna be a high state. So we'll see Ohio State is. They're a great team. They've got a lot going for them, and they're better on both lines, better at quarterback. In terms of the past game, the receivers are great. I just I don't know. There's something about Notre Dame in the fact that they've been able to force teams to play their style of football that makes me think Monday will be another one of those. And then you take your shot in the fourth quarter. See what happens if you can win your first national title in thirty six years.

I think, I mean Notre Dame is dragged Ohio State into a Notre Dame style of game twice in the last two years. I don't see any reason why that wouldn't happen again on Monday Night. Notre Dame has beaten better teams by playing incredibly complimentary football, special teams, blocks fakes, you know, strip sacks turning into touchdowns. That's Notre Dame's very narrow path to win. At the Athletic I think we had about twenty people on our staff predictions and nineteen of them picked Ohio State, and I felt like somebody has to pick Notre Dame, so it was me twenty one to twenty. I just feel like, if you played this game twenty times, Notre Dame will win it three, four, five times, six times. I don't know, but it doesn't. It doesn't feel like a game that should be a presumptive favorite, smashing underdog type of performance. So I got Notre Dame twenty one twenty. I'm not saying I feel good about it, but I do think Notre Dame should go into this game feeling pretty confident that it can play the game the way it wants to be played. And then we'll see if Ryan day Tens is up, if he looks across the sideline and sees the ghost of Lou Holtz and you know, and like, shouldn't we just pound the ball between the tackles on first and ten instead of throwing it? And like, you know, if you can get Ohio State thinking a little bit, then you know which team would is going to feel more tense or more pressure on Monday night. I think it's gonna be a high state. So we'll see Ohio State is. They're a great team. They've got a lot going for them, and they're better on both lines, better at quarterback. In terms of the past game, the receivers are great. I just I don't know. There's something about Notre Dame in the fact that they've been able to force teams to play their style of football that makes me think Monday will be another one of those. And then you take your shot in the fourth quarter. See what happens if you can win your first national title in thirty six years.

That would be something. Pete appreciate the insight. As always, you could follow him on social media at Pete Sampson Underscore and get all his coverage for Notre Dame. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, Andrew Gillis will give us the Ohio State side of things as we're going on the beat here on the Vson College Football Betting Podcast.

That would be something. Pete appreciate the insight. As always, you could follow him on social media at Pete Sampson Underscore and get all his coverage for Notre Dame. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, Andrew Gillis will give us the Ohio State side of things as we're going on the beat here on the Vson College Football Betting Podcast.

This is Vson's college football betting podcast.

This is Vson's college football betting podcast.

We're back. It is the Vson College Football Betting Podcast. We just got the perspective from the Notre Dame side. Let's get the Ohio State side. And my good friend Andrew Gillis covers the Buckeyes for Cleveland dot Com and he joins us right now. You can also check out his podcast, the Buckeye Talk Podcast. You know, Andrew, we'll get into the nuts and bolts and kind of x's and o's and all of that. But after the Michigan loss and disaster that it was, and my colleague Adam Burke is a Ohio State fan through and through and he was ready for Ryan Day to be done. How did this team turn it around? And as crazy as it sounds, was that loss to Michigan, even though I'm sure no one in the state of Ohio would agree with this, was that loss to Michigan maybe a blessing in disguise for this pro.

We're back. It is the Vson College Football Betting Podcast. We just got the perspective from the Notre Dame side. Let's get the Ohio State side. And my good friend Andrew Gillis covers the Buckeyes for Cleveland dot Com and he joins us right now. You can also check out his podcast, the Buckeye Talk Podcast. You know, Andrew, we'll get into the nuts and bolts and kind of x's and o's and all of that. But after the Michigan loss and disaster that it was, and my colleague Adam Burke is a Ohio State fan through and through and he was ready for Ryan Day to be done. How did this team turn it around? And as crazy as it sounds, was that loss to Michigan, even though I'm sure no one in the state of Ohio would agree with this, was that loss to Michigan maybe a blessing in disguise for this pro.

You know that. I mean, look, Tim, you know, if we wanted to talk about the Michigan game, we could talk for an hour. I mean, you know, psychologists and psychiatrists should be looking at that game for years because that game is just incredibly fascinating on so many levels. So I think, you know, to answer the blessing in disguise question, I think not really, because I there is part of me that thinks this team was building and slowly kind of building up throughout the course of the season to do this. You know, where you go out and you beat Tennessee by you know, twenty five points, and you beat Oregon where it's thirty four to nothing, and you know, you beat Texas fory fourteen points when really he didn't play all that well. So part of me thinks that this might have been the range of outcomes anyway. Maybe they're not, they're not blowing teams out like they have, but part of me does kind of wonder, Okay, well, if you look at the way that they've managed their team. I think specifically the running backs. They've been really healthy all year. They've been saving guys for a stretch run and then they just turn it on. So I don't know if it was a blessing in disguise, just because I think the uh, you know, I think you look back to that Michigan game and you just see a team that was trying to out tough a team that they didn't need to doubt tough, and I think it might be a Michigan specific problem. So from where we were to where we are, it is unbelievable because at that time, after they lost to Michigan, Man, we were sitting here going, all right, if they lose to Tennessee, I think they might fire Ryan Day and what happens to the program and who do you go get? And it was there were so many questions just kind of swirling about this team. And now they're one win away from a national championship in a game that they are favored by eight and a half points.

You know that. I mean, look, Tim, you know, if we wanted to talk about the Michigan game, we could talk for an hour. I mean, you know, psychologists and psychiatrists should be looking at that game for years because that game is just incredibly fascinating on so many levels. So I think, you know, to answer the blessing in disguise question, I think not really, because I there is part of me that thinks this team was building and slowly kind of building up throughout the course of the season to do this. You know, where you go out and you beat Tennessee by you know, twenty five points, and you beat Oregon where it's thirty four to nothing, and you know, you beat Texas fory fourteen points when really he didn't play all that well. So part of me thinks that this might have been the range of outcomes anyway. Maybe they're not, they're not blowing teams out like they have, but part of me does kind of wonder, Okay, well, if you look at the way that they've managed their team. I think specifically the running backs. They've been really healthy all year. They've been saving guys for a stretch run and then they just turn it on. So I don't know if it was a blessing in disguise, just because I think the uh, you know, I think you look back to that Michigan game and you just see a team that was trying to out tough a team that they didn't need to doubt tough, and I think it might be a Michigan specific problem. So from where we were to where we are, it is unbelievable because at that time, after they lost to Michigan, Man, we were sitting here going, all right, if they lose to Tennessee, I think they might fire Ryan Day and what happens to the program and who do you go get? And it was there were so many questions just kind of swirling about this team. And now they're one win away from a national championship in a game that they are favored by eight and a half points.

Yeah, there's no doubt and they are a significant favorite. And it's funny I did a hit. I want to say it was maybe after the Oregon loss with Adam Shine here on Viisen and he asked me, who is the team that could beat Oregon and I without hesitations at Ohio State, and certainly that confidence maybe wavered a little bit. I don't have any exposure to Ohio State in the futures market, but pound for pound, this is the most talented team in the country, and we'll see how it plays out on Monday Night. But you mentioned trying to out physical Michigan when they didn't really need to. It does feel like outside of mistakes, which Notre Dame does a pretty good job of forcing teams to make mistakes, leading the country and turnovers with thirty two four so far this year, Andrew, but it does kind of feel like Notre Dame would love for Ohio State to kind of fall into the game plan of what they did back on you know, November thirtieth, as a almost three touchdown favorite. Do you think Ryan Day and Chip Kelly avoid that on Monday Night? And because I would imagine Al Golden might try to bait you know this offense. Hey, if you want to run it with quin Shawn Judkins and Traveon Henderson, have at it. You know, we'll let you try to run it down our throats, so to speak.

Yeah, there's no doubt and they are a significant favorite. And it's funny I did a hit. I want to say it was maybe after the Oregon loss with Adam Shine here on Viisen and he asked me, who is the team that could beat Oregon and I without hesitations at Ohio State, and certainly that confidence maybe wavered a little bit. I don't have any exposure to Ohio State in the futures market, but pound for pound, this is the most talented team in the country, and we'll see how it plays out on Monday Night. But you mentioned trying to out physical Michigan when they didn't really need to. It does feel like outside of mistakes, which Notre Dame does a pretty good job of forcing teams to make mistakes, leading the country and turnovers with thirty two four so far this year, Andrew, but it does kind of feel like Notre Dame would love for Ohio State to kind of fall into the game plan of what they did back on you know, November thirtieth, as a almost three touchdown favorite. Do you think Ryan Day and Chip Kelly avoid that on Monday Night? And because I would imagine Al Golden might try to bait you know this offense. Hey, if you want to run it with quin Shawn Judkins and Traveon Henderson, have at it. You know, we'll let you try to run it down our throats, so to speak.

Yeah, I think that absolutely has to be the game plan because any play that doesn't go to Jeremiah Smith or a mecha BUCA should be counted as a win if you're Notre Dame's defense, right, And you know we're saying this even as Notre Dame has a very very good secondary. Leonard Moore has been great, Christian Gray's been solid, Xavier wats is one of the best safeties in the country. I think a Don Schuler is incredibly underrated. Like they are very very good in the secondary, and we're still talking about this going I think you probably want Ohio State to run the ball, and you know, I think you're right. I think it all stems back really to that twenty twenty one Michigan game for Ryan Day, and I think ever since that point, he has tried to prove a point and he has tried to say we're tougher than Michigan, We're tougher than Notre Dame. If you remember that twenty twenty two game where they played in Columbus, Ohio State capped that game off with like a ninety five yard touchdown drive and Ryan Day went in his press conference started talking about toughness and grit and physicality, and that has a you know kind of it has always kind of bothered him, it seems like, and it always kind of bothered the program that they are viewed as not this tough, physical team. But I think that's exactly kind of the battle that Notre Dame wants, right. I think Brady Quinn said it earlier this week. Notre Dame does a great job of pulling teams into deep water and then you know, figuring out the game from there and you know, making it kind of a fistfight. And I think Notre Dame would love that. Notre Dame would love low scoring, low possessions and the game just kind of gets played in a phone booth and it's all right, who's the tougher team, who can make the less make the fewest mistakes. Because Notre Dame, like you said, has done a really really good job of that this season.

Yeah, I think that absolutely has to be the game plan because any play that doesn't go to Jeremiah Smith or a mecha BUCA should be counted as a win if you're Notre Dame's defense, right, And you know we're saying this even as Notre Dame has a very very good secondary. Leonard Moore has been great, Christian Gray's been solid, Xavier wats is one of the best safeties in the country. I think a Don Schuler is incredibly underrated. Like they are very very good in the secondary, and we're still talking about this going I think you probably want Ohio State to run the ball, and you know, I think you're right. I think it all stems back really to that twenty twenty one Michigan game for Ryan Day, and I think ever since that point, he has tried to prove a point and he has tried to say we're tougher than Michigan, We're tougher than Notre Dame. If you remember that twenty twenty two game where they played in Columbus, Ohio State capped that game off with like a ninety five yard touchdown drive and Ryan Day went in his press conference started talking about toughness and grit and physicality, and that has a you know kind of it has always kind of bothered him, it seems like, and it always kind of bothered the program that they are viewed as not this tough, physical team. But I think that's exactly kind of the battle that Notre Dame wants, right. I think Brady Quinn said it earlier this week. Notre Dame does a great job of pulling teams into deep water and then you know, figuring out the game from there and you know, making it kind of a fistfight. And I think Notre Dame would love that. Notre Dame would love low scoring, low possessions and the game just kind of gets played in a phone booth and it's all right, who's the tougher team, who can make the less make the fewest mistakes. Because Notre Dame, like you said, has done a really really good job of that this season.

You know, Andrew, you look at Notre Dame from an off defensive standpoint, and they have prided themselves on playing man a man defense. I think I think the stat that Pete Sampson has has thrown out there, who we just heard from is second in the country and Mando man defense this year only behind Purdue, which doesn't really make it sound like a good stat when you include Purdue in anything. But this is a defense that prides itself on playing man demand. So I don't know what Notre Dame is going to do. I thought Bruce Feldman had a really interesting article in The Athletic talking to coaches that faced Notre Dame, and one coach basically said, you can't just go out there and play man against this offense. You'll get crushed. And you saw that with Oregon. Now, I think Notre Dame secondary is better than Oregon's. But I do think even though it's strength on strength, I'd give the edge certainly to Ohio State. One guy that I think is going to have a big day, and he had a big game in twenty one. He had a big day last year in actually in twenty two, I beg your pardon and then had a big day last year in twenty three. Is that Mecha Buka? His over unders around fifty seven and a half receiving yards over under four and a half receptions. I think Jeremiah Smith to an extent will get his but I think the guy that is a bit underrated for this Ohio State team is going to play a long career in the NFL is ag Buka. So what do you expect from the receivers? Do you think there is a receiver who could have a big day. I mean, Carnel Tait was phenomenal in the win over Texas when they clearly made it a point Andrew to take away Jeremiah Smith and he had one catch for three yards. So what do you anticipate from the wide receivers on Monday night and who could have a big night in your opinion?

You know, Andrew, you look at Notre Dame from an off defensive standpoint, and they have prided themselves on playing man a man defense. I think I think the stat that Pete Sampson has has thrown out there, who we just heard from is second in the country and Mando man defense this year only behind Purdue, which doesn't really make it sound like a good stat when you include Purdue in anything. But this is a defense that prides itself on playing man demand. So I don't know what Notre Dame is going to do. I thought Bruce Feldman had a really interesting article in The Athletic talking to coaches that faced Notre Dame, and one coach basically said, you can't just go out there and play man against this offense. You'll get crushed. And you saw that with Oregon. Now, I think Notre Dame secondary is better than Oregon's. But I do think even though it's strength on strength, I'd give the edge certainly to Ohio State. One guy that I think is going to have a big day, and he had a big game in twenty one. He had a big day last year in actually in twenty two, I beg your pardon and then had a big day last year in twenty three. Is that Mecha Buka? His over unders around fifty seven and a half receiving yards over under four and a half receptions. I think Jeremiah Smith to an extent will get his but I think the guy that is a bit underrated for this Ohio State team is going to play a long career in the NFL is ag Buka. So what do you expect from the receivers? Do you think there is a receiver who could have a big day. I mean, Carnel Tait was phenomenal in the win over Texas when they clearly made it a point Andrew to take away Jeremiah Smith and he had one catch for three yards. So what do you anticipate from the wide receivers on Monday night and who could have a big night in your opinion?

Yeah, you know that's the million dollar question, right because I think you look back at that twenty three game and that would be very illuminating. I think if Benjamin Morrison were still healthy, if Benjamin Morrison were in this game, I think the game plan we'd already kind of have it right. We'd saw what they did last year. They had Cam Hart on Marvin Harrison Junior and they just doubled Marv the entire game and then when it came to third down or obvious passing situations, they would switch Morrison over. So this time it's a little bit more of a mystery. And I think while Texas maybe you saw the word blueprint and plan and all these other things that people tried to make about you know what Texas dido state or excuse me, that Notre Dame can follow. I'm not sure if that's the case, just because you know, texas Is defenses is just schematically different than what Notre Dame wants to do. But if you look back at that twenty three game and Mecha Buka, he had almost one hundred yards and he dropped the touchdown at the end of the first half. He had another drop or two in the in like the second quarter. There were yards to be had there for a Mecca Buka and it just didn't happen. So, you know, I really like in terms of you know who you think can have a big game, I am, you know, all on board with a Mega Buka and Carnel Tate. You know, I'm sure you can find them anytime touchdown at plus money because Jeremiah Smith and two running backs quenchew On Judkins and Trevion Henderson, you know, those are two guys that are just going to eat up the market, and rightfully so, I mean Trevion Henderson we just saw it can take any touch he has to the house. And you know, quin Shawn Judkins is one of those running backs where if you get inside the five yard line, he's the guy who's getting the ball if you're going to run it. Jeremia Smith's Jeremiah Smith. So I think when you when you look maybe where there's value, I think you have to look at Ohio State's second, third, maybe even fourth receiver in g Scott, their tight end, because what Notre Dame is going to try to do, obviously is take away their best weapon. But I don't know if Notre Dame has a three that can match up with Carnel Tate, or you can Jack Kaiser or Jalen Snead cover g Scott. I don't know. But to me, that is the area where I think Ohio State really might be able to shine. And that is the area where I would really be focusing on just with yards and maybe with touchdowns as well.

Yeah, you know that's the million dollar question, right because I think you look back at that twenty three game and that would be very illuminating. I think if Benjamin Morrison were still healthy, if Benjamin Morrison were in this game, I think the game plan we'd already kind of have it right. We'd saw what they did last year. They had Cam Hart on Marvin Harrison Junior and they just doubled Marv the entire game and then when it came to third down or obvious passing situations, they would switch Morrison over. So this time it's a little bit more of a mystery. And I think while Texas maybe you saw the word blueprint and plan and all these other things that people tried to make about you know what Texas dido state or excuse me, that Notre Dame can follow. I'm not sure if that's the case, just because you know, texas Is defenses is just schematically different than what Notre Dame wants to do. But if you look back at that twenty three game and Mecha Buka, he had almost one hundred yards and he dropped the touchdown at the end of the first half. He had another drop or two in the in like the second quarter. There were yards to be had there for a Mecca Buka and it just didn't happen. So, you know, I really like in terms of you know who you think can have a big game, I am, you know, all on board with a Mega Buka and Carnel Tate. You know, I'm sure you can find them anytime touchdown at plus money because Jeremiah Smith and two running backs quenchew On Judkins and Trevion Henderson, you know, those are two guys that are just going to eat up the market, and rightfully so, I mean Trevion Henderson we just saw it can take any touch he has to the house. And you know, quin Shawn Judkins is one of those running backs where if you get inside the five yard line, he's the guy who's getting the ball if you're going to run it. Jeremia Smith's Jeremiah Smith. So I think when you when you look maybe where there's value, I think you have to look at Ohio State's second, third, maybe even fourth receiver in g Scott, their tight end, because what Notre Dame is going to try to do, obviously is take away their best weapon. But I don't know if Notre Dame has a three that can match up with Carnel Tate, or you can Jack Kaiser or Jalen Snead cover g Scott. I don't know. But to me, that is the area where I think Ohio State really might be able to shine. And that is the area where I would really be focusing on just with yards and maybe with touchdowns as well.

Yeah, certainly, Tyler Warren had his way now he has his way against a lot of teams. He was the Mackie Award winner, even though once again Harold Fannon should have won the award. But that's a discussion for another day, But a hell of a performance from Tyler Warren last week against the Irish. Right now, it looks like Fandel has a Mecha Guka plus one thirty five to scoring anytime touchdown. So a little more juice in that odds department for that one than DraftKings. They're at plus one ten. All right, let's flip it to the other side, Andrew, because a lot of the talk, understandably so, has been all right, Notre Dame secondary arguably the best in the country, Ohio states wide receivers arguably best in the country. Going to be a war when you look at Ohio State defense versus Notre Dame offense. That's where it seems like there's a massive advantage for the Buckeys. This defense is phenomenal. I've been championing them for for a long while. You know, as soon as they hire Jim Knowles, I was like, Man, this is going to be this is going to be a hell of a defense. And it is. And then you think about the money invested in this defense, the retention of that roster, all of that. So how does Notre Dame find success? Is there a vulnerability on this defense that Ohio State has Andrew.

Yeah, certainly, Tyler Warren had his way now he has his way against a lot of teams. He was the Mackie Award winner, even though once again Harold Fannon should have won the award. But that's a discussion for another day, But a hell of a performance from Tyler Warren last week against the Irish. Right now, it looks like Fandel has a Mecha Guka plus one thirty five to scoring anytime touchdown. So a little more juice in that odds department for that one than DraftKings. They're at plus one ten. All right, let's flip it to the other side, Andrew, because a lot of the talk, understandably so, has been all right, Notre Dame secondary arguably the best in the country, Ohio states wide receivers arguably best in the country. Going to be a war when you look at Ohio State defense versus Notre Dame offense. That's where it seems like there's a massive advantage for the Buckeys. This defense is phenomenal. I've been championing them for for a long while. You know, as soon as they hire Jim Knowles, I was like, Man, this is going to be this is going to be a hell of a defense. And it is. And then you think about the money invested in this defense, the retention of that roster, all of that. So how does Notre Dame find success? Is there a vulnerability on this defense that Ohio State has Andrew.

I think it's the linebackers in coverage. And I say I think because that's kind of the level that we're at with Ohio State's defense, right. I mean, if you've watched Ohio State in the playoffs, their defense of line, I mean, they're playing like men possessed. It feels like that lost to Michigan just made something snap in Jack Sawyer's head. And Jack Sawyer has been awesome in the entire playoffs. J. Two Twomloau has been just as good. And obviously Notre Dame, I mean they might be well, actually, they're definitely going to be starting a left tackle who's going to be making his first start of the season at that position. You know, I think that Mill Wagner's played really well for them, but they have not seen a tandem like Jack Sawyer and J. T. Twomloa, So you know that's that's going to be really really tough sledding. I think for Notre Dame, the corners are obviously very good and they're very talented. I think they're different, you know, like Denzel Burke, very very intelligent, Jordan Hancock, very athletic, Denzel Burt or excuse me, Davis ni Bunosen, incredibly physical, long arms, not afraid to put his hands on you and let you know and talk a lot of trash. Caleb Downs Lathan Ransom probably the best safety tandem in the country. It's just you look at this defense and you see a reasonable path to ten guys getting rafted in April's draft, and the only one that wouldn't on at least at the starting lineup is Caleb Downs, and that's because he's ineligible to enter the draft. So I mean, this defense is very, very good, but I do think where Notre Dame might be able to move the ball a little bit. We saw it a little bit against Penn State. Anias Williams out of the backfield. He had that really really nice catch and to believe at the beginning of the second half, if you can get a linebacker match up with him, maybe with Mitchell Evans. You know, I like Mitchell Evans anytime touchdown for that reason. He's I think plus three p forty to get an anytime touchdown like that. To me, I think is where Notre Dame can at least control the ball and move the ball methodically. If you just control that middle of the field. So obviously you have to run the ball. Obviously you probably are going to have to hit a deep shot at some point on this defense, whether that's a slant that goes the distance or you just throw it deep. But I think over the middle of the field, Notre Dame might be able to have some success against those linebackers.

I think it's the linebackers in coverage. And I say I think because that's kind of the level that we're at with Ohio State's defense, right. I mean, if you've watched Ohio State in the playoffs, their defense of line, I mean, they're playing like men possessed. It feels like that lost to Michigan just made something snap in Jack Sawyer's head. And Jack Sawyer has been awesome in the entire playoffs. J. Two Twomloau has been just as good. And obviously Notre Dame, I mean they might be well, actually, they're definitely going to be starting a left tackle who's going to be making his first start of the season at that position. You know, I think that Mill Wagner's played really well for them, but they have not seen a tandem like Jack Sawyer and J. T. Twomloa, So you know that's that's going to be really really tough sledding. I think for Notre Dame, the corners are obviously very good and they're very talented. I think they're different, you know, like Denzel Burke, very very intelligent, Jordan Hancock, very athletic, Denzel Burt or excuse me, Davis ni Bunosen, incredibly physical, long arms, not afraid to put his hands on you and let you know and talk a lot of trash. Caleb Downs Lathan Ransom probably the best safety tandem in the country. It's just you look at this defense and you see a reasonable path to ten guys getting rafted in April's draft, and the only one that wouldn't on at least at the starting lineup is Caleb Downs, and that's because he's ineligible to enter the draft. So I mean, this defense is very, very good, but I do think where Notre Dame might be able to move the ball a little bit. We saw it a little bit against Penn State. Anias Williams out of the backfield. He had that really really nice catch and to believe at the beginning of the second half, if you can get a linebacker match up with him, maybe with Mitchell Evans. You know, I like Mitchell Evans anytime touchdown for that reason. He's I think plus three p forty to get an anytime touchdown like that. To me, I think is where Notre Dame can at least control the ball and move the ball methodically. If you just control that middle of the field. So obviously you have to run the ball. Obviously you probably are going to have to hit a deep shot at some point on this defense, whether that's a slant that goes the distance or you just throw it deep. But I think over the middle of the field, Notre Dame might be able to have some success against those linebackers.

Yeah, when you think back to last year's game, it was Mitchell Evans kind of coming out party, right. I think he had seven catches for seventy five yards against Ohio State, and then later in the season he ended up tearing his acl and you know, I thought he was going to have a big game against Indiana. I was a game too soon because he stepped up and had five catches against Penn State. So yeah, I would agree with you. Look, the best bet that I put out there earlier in the week was under bo Collins receiving yards on multiple fronts. He's a little bit banged up. I was a bit surprised at shops are hanging Bo Collins numbers out there. But I don't anticipate he getting involved all that much. I know he had the touchdown reception against Georgia, but you've seen Jayden Greathouse get involved. He had a big game against Penn State. You saw Jordan Faison, but I think Mitchell Evans is a guy over under three and a half receptions thirty three and a half receiving yards. As you alluded to, anytime touchdown take us through Caleb Downs though, and what type of player he is is he have? I mean, we all saw the play. Terrible play call, no doubt by Sarkeshan and Texas. However, to knife through the defense like he did and to get that stop for a loss of eight, to essentially change the game with the first and goal from the one yard line. How can Notre Dame have success running and someone like Riley Leonard? What's going to be the plan for this Ohio State defense on Riley Leonard? Over under for Riley Leonard on rush attempts is fourteen and a half sacks do count as rush attempts? Worth noting? There over under thirty six and a half rushing yards Andrew what do you expect from this defense when it comes to Notre Dame's run game, more specifically slowing down Riley Leonard running the football?

Yeah, when you think back to last year's game, it was Mitchell Evans kind of coming out party, right. I think he had seven catches for seventy five yards against Ohio State, and then later in the season he ended up tearing his acl and you know, I thought he was going to have a big game against Indiana. I was a game too soon because he stepped up and had five catches against Penn State. So yeah, I would agree with you. Look, the best bet that I put out there earlier in the week was under bo Collins receiving yards on multiple fronts. He's a little bit banged up. I was a bit surprised at shops are hanging Bo Collins numbers out there. But I don't anticipate he getting involved all that much. I know he had the touchdown reception against Georgia, but you've seen Jayden Greathouse get involved. He had a big game against Penn State. You saw Jordan Faison, but I think Mitchell Evans is a guy over under three and a half receptions thirty three and a half receiving yards. As you alluded to, anytime touchdown take us through Caleb Downs though, and what type of player he is is he have? I mean, we all saw the play. Terrible play call, no doubt by Sarkeshan and Texas. However, to knife through the defense like he did and to get that stop for a loss of eight, to essentially change the game with the first and goal from the one yard line. How can Notre Dame have success running and someone like Riley Leonard? What's going to be the plan for this Ohio State defense on Riley Leonard? Over under for Riley Leonard on rush attempts is fourteen and a half sacks do count as rush attempts? Worth noting? There over under thirty six and a half rushing yards Andrew what do you expect from this defense when it comes to Notre Dame's run game, more specifically slowing down Riley Leonard running the football?

Yeah? Well, you know, first off, Caleb Downs has been kind of everything for this defense. They've almost used him as like a linebacker in these last couple of weeks. You know what they'll do is they have Jordan Hancock, who's their very very talented slot corner, who's probably their best corner pound for pound. You know, he just so happens to play in the slot, and I think you know, when they move him back, they play like a three safety look and Caleb Downs kind of comes down into the box. He's just good enough to play everywhere, right, you know, he's good enough to move around and to do all those different things for you. So you know, he's the great equalizer. He is, you know, one of those players where positional value doesn't really matter when it comes to the NFL draft. I think we saw that with Kyle Hamilton a few years ago. I don't think that's gonna matter with Caleb Downs, and that's going to be a big challenge I think for him. I think they'll probably have him on Evans and that's going to put a lot on Riley Leonard. Like you just said, you know, you said fourteen and a half I believe was the rushing attempts. Yeah, I would be sprinting to the window to hit that over. I think this is going to be a big, big, big, big Riley Leonard game. You know, I saw his rushing yards over thirty six and a half. I'm taking that over as well. I know Sax count as that, but I think Notre Dame is really going to rely on Riley Leonard. And I think Riley Leonard, as we have seen time and time again this season, is not afraid to put his head down and say I need a yard. I'm going to get a yard. And that is something that I think is very admirable about Riley Leonard, and that is something that a lot of people should be very impressed with about his game. And when it comes down to it, Riley Leonard will do whatever he can to win. And I think the way that this Ohio State defense is just on the outsides, they're so talented, you know, they're so ferocious upfront, Notre Dame's offensive line is going to be in for a challenge, and I think Riley Leonard, you know, they might have a few design runs for him obviously, like they've done. I think they're going to have some obvious RPO read option type looks, but I think there's gonna be a lot of situations where you know, he drops back to pass and his first reads not there, second reads not there, and he might just go And I think that that might be, you know, just by design, because I State's defensive line is just that good. You got to get rid of the ball very quickly. So I think Riley Leonard is actually going to have a really really big game. We know Jeremiah Love is banged up a little bit. We'll see what happens with that back field split of Love and Price. But to me, Riley Leonard over on rushing yards. I think this is a big, big Riley Leonard game Because Ohio State they mentioned multiple times they're going to have to spy him. Sounds like it's going to be Cody Simons's responsibility. Cody Simon's a great linebacker. He's been awesome, especially in the back half of the season. So that's going to be a really really fun game within the game, I think on Monday night.