Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Kyle McCord Keep Up With Sam Hartman?

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Kyle McCord Keep Up With Sam Hartman?

We've all had this matchup circled on the schedule throughout the offseason.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will travel to Notre Dame to take on the Buckeyes in a top-ten matchup.

Notre Dame is already 4-0 on the season. After landing Sam Hartman in the transfer portal, Notre Dame looks like a completely different team.

It's amusing that the Fighting Irish won games last year with Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne at quarterback. Both have struggled badly in their new schools.

But not Hartman. Hartman has thrown for 1061 yards with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions for the Fighting Irish. He came from Wake Forest as a grad transfer and is in the Heisman race heading into this game. Another massive game from Hartman against Ohio State, and he'll be in the top three of the Heisman race.

Meanwhile, Ohio State doesn't have a Justin Fields or C.J. Stroud at quarterback this year. They didn't even know who the quarterback would be until the final week of the preseason.

Kyle McCord beat out Devin Brown and has done enough good things to keep the job. But can he keep his poise and go toe-to-toe with a potential Heisman hopeful?

Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Saturday's game between the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Date, Start Time, and Where to Watch

• Date: September 23, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
• Where to Watch: NBC

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Odds

• Spread: Ohio State -3 (-110), Notre Dame +3 (-110)
• Total Odds: O/U 54 (-110)
• Moneyline Odds: Ohio State (-155), Notre Dame (+130)

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Injury Report

Ohio State

Questionable: TE Joe Royer (Undisclosed)

Out: WR Reis Stocksdale (Undisclosed)

Notre Dame

Questionable: LB JD Bertrand (Concussion), TE Mitchell Evans (Concussion)

Out: TE Kevin Jauman (Knee), DL Gabe Rubio (Knee), WR KK Smith (Shoulder)

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Prediction

The Ohio State Buckeyes haven't been tested this year. This will be the first one. The Buckeyes added a win over Indiana, Youngstown State, and Western Kentucky. They've held all those teams to ten or fewer points.

However, in Week 1, Indiana held Ohio State to just 23 points in a 23-3 win. Indiana is a Big Ten-caliber defense. But Notre Dame's defense is probably better.

There's less pressure on Kyle McCord now that he has the starting job. I think it showed last weekend against Western Kentucky. McCord started a bit slow in the first half, but he and the offense dominated in the second quarter to take a 42-10 lead into halftime.

McCord threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns while completing 19 passes on 23 attempts.

The Buckeyes have some talented receivers, including Marvin Harrison Jr. He's added 14 catches for 304 yards with three touchdowns. However, some of the other receivers on the team haven't lived up to the hype just yet.

Ohio State's run game has also been solid behind TreVeyon Henderson. He's added 30 carries for 191 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes have one of the more dominant run defenses in college football. The pass rush is also one of America's most exciting pass rushes. That's helped the secondary play lights out, too.

It's hard to rattle Sam Hartman. But the Notre Dame offensive line hasn't played very well. The Buckeyes should be able to get through that offensive line and create some havoc.

However, I'm still concerned with McCord at quarterback. This will be his first massive game. At the same time, there's no pressure that he'll be pulled. Playing in an atmosphere like Notre Dame will give you some chills.

The pass protection has been dynamite for the Buckeyes. The run block has also been very good. That should help the offense figure things out against Notre Dame.

However, the Fighting Irish are dominant against the run, allowing just 83.3 yards per game on the ground. Notre Dame will make McCord beat them.

This game is where Notre Dame's got the better offense, and Ohio State's got the better defense.

Who will step up just a little bit more?

I think it's Notre Dame. I'd ride with Hartman in a tight game over McCord. Hartman won't make the mistakes that McCord might make.

I'll take Notre Dame at +3.

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Pick

• PICK: Notre Dame +3 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

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