Marcus Freeman listened calmly to a query concerning the largest soccer recreation of his life. It was coming so quickly, everybody within the stadium for a morning of advance press conferences may really feel it.
“I feel will probably be an environment like no different,” Freeman mentioned.
Perhaps he was proper. However this was early January in 2008, and Freeman — a linebacker and staff captain for Ohio State — was discussing the Buckeyes’ upcoming Bowl Championship Collection title recreation towards LSU on the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Let the report present it was the Tigers who ended up profitable that one, 38-24.
With all due respect to these groups, that venue and the erstwhile BCS — to not point out Freeman himself — every little thing about college football’s nationwide championship has turn into a much bigger deal since then. And when Ohio State takes the sphere Monday towards Freeman’s new staff, Notre Dame, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, it can certainly be larger than ever.
This, people, is the type of spectacle the powers-that-be in school soccer envisioned when the game’s playoff was expanded from 4 groups to 12 heading into this season.
“It’s going to be a tough one,” Freeman mentioned Sunday. “We all know that. However hear, go on the market and luxuriate in it and don’t let the issues exterior of these white strains have an effect on the way in which you play. That’s in all probability what’s most essential. I’m grateful for this chance and searching ahead to it.”
Freeman hails from Ohio, earned a level from Ohio State and launched into his teaching profession there as a graduate assistant underneath Jim Tressel, with whom he stays very shut. Maybe sometime, he’ll coach the Buckeyes himself. Or the Bears or one other NFL staff. Freeman, who turned 39 throughout this playoff, has a whole profession in entrance of him.
However make no mistake — it is a Notre Dame man we’re speaking about. Anybody who has paid any consideration in any respect to this Combating Irish staff certainly has felt that. These Irish (14-1) are Freeman, and vice versa, to a palpable, inextricable diploma that some would say surpasses the dynamic that existed at any time in predecessor Brian Kelly’s 12 seasons on the faculty. That’s 9 greater than Freeman has spent as head coach.
“This isn’t about the place I went to high school,” Freeman mentioned. “That is concerning the alternative proper in entrance of us.”
The Buckeyes (13-2), favored by 8½ factors, have been probably the most proficient staff within the nation because the pads had been pulled on for the primary observe of coaching camp. In sure apparent respects, they’ve lived as much as the billing.
Offensively, their capacity will be overwhelming. What number of different faculties would even dream of getting a working again combo like Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, not to mention a pass-catching duo as magnificent as Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka? With a gentle, robust, pinpoint quarterback in Will Howard to direct all of it, it’s near the best state of affairs.
And this is without doubt one of the nice defenses of latest classic. Led by Caleb Downs, Jack Sawyer, Cody Simon, Lathan Ransom and different stars, the Buckeyes rank No. 1 nationally in complete protection, passing protection and scoring protection.
The playoff push — previous Tennessee (42-17), Oregon (41-21) and Texas (28-14) — has been beautiful.
At their finest, the Buckeyes simply could be unbeatable. Alternatively:
“We’ve bought good gamers, too,” Freeman mentioned. “We’ve bought to do what we do.”
The Irish — ninth in complete protection and second in scoring protection — need to cease the run, maintain Howard guessing with inventive protection schemes and stiffen up within the crimson zone. Offensively, quarterback Riley Leonard, who can match athleticism with anybody on OSU’s protection, should grind the clock along with his legs and with good, on-time passes. The Irish don’t should trick their means by way of a recreation towards anyone. In the event that they execute, they’ll keep within the struggle — and the Buckeyes comprehend it.
“We have now to play Huge Ten soccer,” coach Ryan Day mentioned. “That’s what it’s going to appear like.”
It has been 36 years since Notre Dame’s final championship and eternally since Notre Dame’s final win towards Ohio State. The Irish are 0-6 all-time, together with a 21-10 loss at Ohio Stadium in 2022 and a 17-14 loss in South Bend in 2023.
Does any of that matter this time? No, not likely.
What issues is that Leonard, security Xavier Watts, linebacker Jack Kiser have yet another shot to play a recreation collectively. The identical will be mentioned on Ohio State’s aspect, in fact.
If the Irish do it their means, they’ll put some doubt within the Buckeyes’ heads a lot as Michigan did within the regular-season finale, a stunning upset that made everybody marvel if OSU was merely overblown.
“This recreation will take you to your knees,” Day mentioned, “and provide you with a number of the biggest experiences on the earth.”
By now — extra video games into the season than every other FBS staff has ever performed — it rattling positive has been a journey like no different. Little question, the environment will stay up to date.
The choose: Buckeyes, 24-17.
