Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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GAME PREVIEW: OHIO STATE NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. OHIO STATE RUN DEFENSE Notre Dame has run the ball effectively all season, ranking 25th in yards per game (214.8) and sixth in yards per carry (5.8) against a schedule that had seven defenses ranked among the top 45 in rushing defense. Four opponents finished in the top 25. Senior running back C.J. Prosise and freshman Josh Adams combined for 1,789 rushing yards, 6.9 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns. Notre Dame's run game has been bolstered by its three quarterbacks, who've combined for 698 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ohio State ranks 22nd in yards allowed per game (127.3) and 11th in yards per rush (3.4). Teams have simply not been able to get anything going on the ground against a dominant front seven. A deeper look at its schedule shows the Buckeye run defense was not challenged. Only two of OSU's nine Power Five opponents finished in the top 50 in rushing offense. Advantage: Even Notre Dame's offensive tackles will have to contain junior defensive end Joey Bosa, who has racked up 18.5 sacks the last two seasons. PHOTO COURTESY OHIO STATE NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. OHIO STATE PASS DEFENSE OSU has been outstanding against the pass, ranking sixth in pass efficiency defense (101.92), eighth in yards per attempt (5.7) and 12th in yards allowed per game (176.2). The Buckeyes gave up just 12 passing touchdowns all season. Ohio State's production was helped by a schedule that lacked much offensive potency. Only two of its Power Five opponents ranked in the top 50 in passing offense, and the Buckeyes did not have to face Michi- gan State quarterback Connor Cook, who missed their matchup with an injured shoulder. OSU gave up 230.0 yards per contest in its final four games, despite hold- ing the Spartans — minus Cook — to just 91 yards. OSU has not faced a passing attack like Notre Dame's. Sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer has the third-best pass efficiency rating OSU faced, and only Indiana (14.24) had a higher yards per comple- tion rate than the Irish (14.06). Notre Dame junior wideout Will Fuller is the most explosive player the