The BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl will feature the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes on New Year’s Day. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Buckeyes favored to pick up the victory in this one.
Ohio State is a bad loss to Michigan State in sloppy weather away from playing in the College Football Playoff once again. Even so, Urban Meyer’s team can still end their season on a high note by taking on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in this one. Both teams are ranked inside the Top 10 and come in with double-digit wins on the season.
Notre Dame has battled injuries all season, Malik Zaire was their starting quarterback, but he was lost for the year. That gave way for youngster DeShone Kizer to take the team over — he led Notre Dame throughout the season, a year that saw them lose games at Clemson and at Stanford by a combined four points.
Ohio State has had drama at the quarterback position as well, J.T. Barrett is the best option they have, but don’t forget Cardale Jones, who led the Buckeyes to a national title last year. Jones has already said this will be his final game as a member of Ohio State, which is a pretty selfish move considering the game hasn’t even kicked off yet.
Both teams have won their last two bowl games, this one will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, a turf field that should allow the speed of both teams to flourish.
Ohio State has big stars with Ezekiel Elliot, Barrett and a slew of receivers. Notre Dame counters with Kizer, C.J. Prosise and Will Fuller. Both teams averaged 35 points per game this season, making the defenses very important.
Ohio State’s defense allowed 14 points per game this season, ND’s gave up 22.4 to opponents. The Buckeyes have Joey Bosa and several key stars, Notre Dame will need Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day to play well up front.
This should be the best of the bowl games outside of the playoffs.
Free Pick: Notre Dame
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