Ryan Day looks to continue his path to redemption when Ohio State plays Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship game tonight at 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Our predictions for the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame matchup focus on the Buckeyes' two stars in the College Football Playoff and the troubled Fighting Irish quarterback.
The most popular bets for the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame game: the CFP National Championship game
According to BetMGM, a bet on Jeremiah Love gaining fewer yards (42.5) is the most popular bet among punters on the CFP National Championship. The biggest bet on a punter is Emeka Egbuka (59.5).
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame touchdown betting odds
Anytime TD.
1. Jeremiah Love +140
2. Jeremiah Smith -140
3. Trevion Henderson -105.
4. Riley Leonard +125
5. Emeka Egbuka +145
1st TD
1. Love +800
2. Smith +450
3. Henderson +600
4. Leonard +900pic
5. Quinshawn Judkins +550
When it comes to finding the end zone, Love (+140) is Notre Dame's highest scorer and Jeremiah Smith (-140) is the Buckeyes' highest scorer to find the ground in the championship game.
Player betting odds for Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: CFP National Championship game
Soccer predictions made on Friday; odds are subject to change. Our new soccer odds tool will help you find the best odds for any market among legal sports bettors in your area!
TreVayon Henderson touchdown prediction: Any TD scorer (+105 on FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Riley Leonard prop pick: Under 178.5 passing yards (-115 on FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jeremiah Smith prop pick: Over 79.5 receiving yards (-115 on bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame touchdown prediction
Tre'Veon Henderson will score any touchdown ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: +105 on FanDuel | Estimated probability: 48.78%
There are a few different Buckeyes players that could find the end zone in the matchup with Notre Dame, but Henderson certainly offers the best value on our college soccer betting sites.
Although Smith (15) and Quinshawn Judkins (13) have scored more points this season than Henderson (11), the Buckeyes' senior runner has turned on his game during CFP time. He has scored in all three of Ohio State's College Football Playoff games and leads the team with five points in the postseason.
Ohio State's Trevion Henderson has a 94.1 in-game athleticism score (IGA Score) and a top speed of 22.0 mph.
Henderson has looked fresh and explosive in the CFP after sharing the backfield with Judkins all season. His playoff average is 121.6 yards per carry on 10.6 touches per game.
While Notre Dame boasts a top-notch defense, Henderson's combination of burst and balance should pose problems. According to PFF, he is a dynamo in space, with five rushes for 15-plus yards in the postseason and also gained 169 yards after contact.
The best odds on Henderson also yield a $10.50 profit on a $10 win bet, unlike the odds on Smith (-115) and Judkins (-105).
Best predictions for the Ohio State vs Notre Dame game
Riley Leonard under 178.5 passing yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: -115 on FanDuel | Estimated odds: 53.49%
The most obvious reason Ohio State is the favorite to match up with Notre Dame is because of the Fighting Irish's one-dimensional offense. While Leonard has shown his ability as a runner, he has been unpredictable as a passer this season.
The transfer from Duke has gained less than 179 yards in nine of 15 games (60%), and he has had more turnover plays (three) than scoring throws (two) in the College Football Playoff. It also doesn't help that Notre Dame's passers are struggling to separate themselves from each other and none of them are in the top 200 in the country in yards per route pass.
Now he'll face the No. 1 SP+-ranked defense that allows the fewest passing yards per game in the country (161.1). Even worse, Notre Dame is playing with a damaged defensive line against a pass rush led by Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimolow, who have totaled 108 pressures this season.
Expert predictions for Ohio State vs Notre Dame matchup
Ohio State vs Notre Dame Expert Prediction
Ohio State vs Notre Dame prediction
Ohio State vs Notre Dame prediction by punters
Ohio State vs Notre Dame betting predictions
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame predictions for any number of touchdowns
Will Howard player predictions
Riley Leonard player predictions
Ohio State vs Notre Dame previews
Jeremiah Smith over 79.5 receiving yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: -115 via bet365 | Estimated probability: 53.49%
When Texas limited Smith to one reception for three yards in the Cotton Bowl, Longhorns defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski used a strong game plan in which he was linked with the quarterback to help Jahda Barron and Malik Muhammad.
It looks like Notre Dame might play Smith differently, with cornerback Leonard Moore saying the Irish will operate primarily in man coverage, as they have done all season. That's partly why I'm not worried about Smith getting shut down again, and partly because offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has had more than a week to figure out how to give his star the ball.
The last time Smith was silenced on an important play was when Michigan prevented him from gaining 35 yards. Smith was fed in the next two games and racked up 290 yards and four scores on 13 picks against Tennessee and Oregon in the first two CFP games.
He should gain 79.5 yards for the 10th time this season and turn a $10 bet into an $8.70 profit.
CFP National Championship Game odds and information
- When: Monday, Jan. 20
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- How to watch: ESPN
- Weather: Indoors
- Favorite: Ohio State -8 (-110 via Caesars)
