Best NCAAF Picks & Bets: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State for the National Championship

• Ohio State is favored to win the National Championship

• Notre Dame is coming off a win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl

• Jeremiah Smith only had three yards in the Cotton Bowl

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Ohio State’s high-powered offense is looking to finish their revenge tour with a win over Notre Dame. Notre Dame is loaded with talent on the defensive side of the ball, which will make for a competitive game. 

The Buckeyes have scored 111 points in their three playoff games, averaging 37 points per contest. The Fighting Irish have only allowed 51 points in their three playoff games.

Ultimately, this game will come down to the Notre Dame defense and if they can contain all the playmakers on Ohio State. Unfortunately, they should have a lot of trouble.

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame on FanDuel

• Date: Monday, January, 20th

• Time: 7:30 PM EST

• Moneyline: Ohio State (-360) | Notre Dame (+285)

• Spread: Ohio State -8.5 (-108) | Notre Dame +8.5 (-112)

• Total: Over 46.5 (-108) | Under 46.5 (-112)

Pick: Ohio State -8.5 (-108) at FanDuel

The Buckeyes are playing their best football at the right time, and we like them to roll past Notre Dame. Ohio State’s offense has been impossible to stop in the playoffs, and we expect them to give the Irish all they can handle. 

The amount of talent Ohio State has on both sides of the ball is outstanding. Will Howard isn’t by any means one of the top quarterbacks in the country, but he has been getting the ball out of his hands fast, and it’s working for the Buckeyes. 

Notre Dame has the nation’s top defense, but Riley Leonard and the offense haven’t been great. The Fighting Irish are at their best in running the football, and that’s what the Buckeyes defend very well. 

This is a nightmare matchup for Notre Dame, and although they have had a great season, we expect the road to end here. 

Take the Buckeyes against the spread in a game that could be similar to the 2023 National Championship when Georgia defeated TCU 65-7.

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Pick: Over 46.5 (-108) at FanDuel

The total for this game is 46.5, and the Buckeyes could contribute to that by themselves. Notre Dame can score ten to 14 points in this contest, and Ohio State will score at least 30. 

The Irish have an excellent run defense, but Ohio State will likely exploit their secondary and throw. 

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is one of the nation’s best receivers and a true freshman. He has 71 receptions for 1,227 yards with 14 touchdowns this season. 

We expect Howard to be looking at Smith a ton in this matchup. The Buckeyes also love utilizing their running backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. 

Look for the Buckeyes to get an early lead and the Irish to fight until the last whistle to cash this over bet.

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Pick: Will Howard Over 245.5 Passing Yards at FanDuel

The Ohio State team loves throwing the football on all downs, and this should continue against an excellent rush defense with Notre Dame. Howard averages 251 passing yards per game this season. 

Notre Dame mostly runs pure man coverage, and Howard has a 61% success rate versus man this season. 

Howard has cleared this number in all three playoff games, averaging 306 yards per game. 

Howard should have an excellent performance in a game where we see the Buckeyes covering and scoring consistently.

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