A pair of late-season losses to Michigan State and Stanford ended the College Football Playoff hopes for both No. 7 Ohio State and No. 8 Notre Dame, but we all may be the beneficiaries as the two square off in what will be one of the most-watched matchups among the New Year's Day Six bowl games.
2015 Fiesta Bowl picks and predictions: Ohio State may just be too talented for the Irish
Two classic Midwestern powers travel to the Southwest in one of the marquee matchups on New Year’s Day.
The Buckeyes might have had a better case to be in the Rose Bowl over Big Ten runner-up Iowa, and will walk into Tempe with one of the most talented teams in the country. The Irish defense checked in at 33 in S&P+ this season, a respectable number, but one that might struggle with Ohio State's 14th-rated offense. The Irish offensive line ranks 52nd in Adjusted Sack Rate as well, which may also provide some opportunities for All-American defensive end Joey Bosa.
The Irish do know how to score, however. DeShone Kizer-to-Will Fuller was one of the nation’s best touchdown combinations this season. The Buckeye secondary ranked 51st in IsoPPP, so there may be some big-play opportunities for the Notre Dame offense.
On Easy Call, Dan Rubenstein picks a 31-23 Buckeyes win.
Not going to overthink this one. Zeke Elliott against a run defense like Notre Dame’s. And Ohio State’s defense gets overshadowed because all the offensive drama happening in those big games, but their defense is scary. I don’t know if Notre Dame is going to be able to consistently move the ball against this Ohio State defense.
Ohio State checks in as 6-point favorites with OddsShark, and is the pick from eight of SB Nation’s 10 college football experts. The Buckeyes are the pick from ESPN as well.
| Matt Brown | Bill Connelly | Wescott Eberts | Bud Elliott | Steven Godfrey | Spencer Hall |
| Ohio State | Ohio State | Notre Dame | Ohio State | Ohio State | Notre Dame |
| Jason Kirk | Rodger Sherman | Pete Volk | Luke Zimmermann | Easy Call | OddsShark |
| Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State |
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