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Ohio State Football: Three keys to a win vs. Notre Dame

By Blake Biscardi

Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, CA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) after making a catch for a touchdown against the Utah Utes in the fourth quarter during the 2022 Rose Bowl college football game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, CA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) after making a catch for a touchdown against the Utah Utes in the fourth quarter during the 2022 Rose Bowl college football game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ohio State football team has high expectations heading into 2022 and begins its season against Top-5 Notre Dame. Here are 3 keys to a Buckeye victory.

We are days away from the first home top-5 season-opening matchup in the Ohio State football team’s history. The Fighting Irish come to Columbus on Saturday for one of the most anticipated regular-season games in the last few years.

The energy in the Buckeye State has been buzzing for weeks ahead of Ohio State and Notre Dame as the Buckeyes return the most prolific offense in the country. Buckeye fans are also eagerly awaiting an overhauled defensive scheme by Jim Knowles that can elevate this team to win a National Championship.

Right now, Ohio State is favored by 17 points, and that’s about the feeling surrounding the game. All of the excitement and anticipation make it feel like the Buckeyes should run away with this game like it’s not a Top-5 showdown. This collision will be a heavyweight fight that the Buckeyes could win by two or three scores but put some respect on Notre Dame’s name because the Irish are for real.

Winning a Top-5 matchup is never a guarantee, but here are three keys to the game for Ohio State to pull out a victory to begin their 2022 campaign.

1. The Ohio State football team needs to establish the running game early and be able to stop the run the other way.

The Ohio State football team needs to establish the run early.Osu21msu Kwr 19
The Ohio State football team needs to establish the run early.Osu21msu Kwr 19 /

Ohio State had the No. 1 statistical offense in the country a year ago, but nobody is perfect. The dents in the Buckeyes’ armor indeed rested on the shoulders of a less-than-physical offensive line that presented struggles to move the line of scrimmage and consistently run the football.

The running game is where Justin Frye’s hiring will most felt on Saturday night. Look for Ohio State to add gal schemes to the running game instead of lateral stretch runs to try and get the edge. The Buckeyes will look to impose their will and run downhill behind an offensive line that should have a sizable advantage at the point of attack. Notre Dame has a solid group of linebackers, making it difficult to get through the second level.

The backfield is loaded with talent in TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams, who is expected to rotate in and out. Ryan Day also mentioned they would like to see Dallas Hayden make an appearance and get touches.

On the flip side, last year, the Silver Bullets were gashed in both marquee matchups on the ground as Oregon and Michigan ran the ball down their throats. History cannot repeat itself if Ohio State wants to be successful in this game. The Buckeyes have the talent advantage, particularly on the perimeter on both sides, and will need to score early to prevent the Irish from playing ball control offense.

If Ohio State can set the pace and force Notre Dame to get off schedule and script, that will only substantially increase the Buckeyes’ chances as the Irish will not have the firepower to sustain four quarters of that style of football.

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