Cleveland, OH
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame score predictions: Will Buckeyes’ buildup pay off?
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The last time Ohio State football played a regular season nonconference road game the magnitude of Saturday’s trip to Notre Dame, it beat Baker Mayfield.
Other than Big Ten games, the Buckeyes have not played a Power 5 opponent in a true road game since a 42-24 win at Oklahoma in 2016. The 2018 win over TCU, with Ryan Day as interim head coach, came at the neutral sit of Jerry’s World at AT&T Stadium. A 2020 trip to Oregon and the rest of the nonconference schedule was wioed out by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ohio State is scheduled to make such trips more regularly in the future, going to Texas (2026), Alabama (2028), Georgia (2030) and Oregon (2032). That is, if the Big Ten and other conferences do not expand their conference schedule along with their membership.
Recommended Buckeyes stories
- Ryan Day says Ohio State football will ‘let it rip’ against Notre Dame
- Ohio State’s 2023 football schedule is filled with Jim Tressel’s legacy as a head coach
- Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. talks about matchup with Notre Dame, talented secondary
“With new teams coming to the conference, there’s a lot of talk about how many games there will be,” Day said. “Those are all things I’ll let our administrators think about.”
Day has been more concerned with completing the quarterback competition, developing the offensive line and settling on the correct defensive personnel groupings. All were covered during a three-game buildup to what is the biggest game in the nation on a loaded weekend of games.
We made our picks based on Draft Kings’ line, which listed Ohio State as a 3-point favorite with an over/under total of 55.5. Watch the video above for the full explanation on our picks. You can track our season-long wagering progress below.
BET $5, GET $200 BONUS BETS
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK
BET $50, GET $250 BONUS BETS
CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
BET $5, GET $200 BONUS BETS & $100 OFF NFL SUNDAY TICKET
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
$1,000 FIRST BET OFFER
BETMGM
BET $1, GET $200 BONUS BETS
BET365
FanDuel Ohio is live and accepting wagers. There are also other OH Sportsbook offers like the bet365 Ohio promo, DraftKings Ohio promo, and the BetMGM Ohio bonus code.
Nathan Baird
Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 23
I said before the season that this defense, and perhaps this team, would go as far as the defensive line takes it. That’s the most pivotal matchup in this game. Ohio State has to slow Notre Dame’s run game and force Sam Hartman into disadvantageous situations. I think that will happen enough that this secondary, growing in confidence each week, can capitalize. The Irish defensive numbers are strong, and OSU’s offensive line faces another “prove it” week. But I’m taking the Buckeye playmakers here.
Game pick: Ohio State -3 (8 Buckeye Talk tokens)
Over/under: UNDER 55.5 (4 BTT)
Stephen Means
Ohio State 45, Notre Dame 13
I have come around on the idea that this game will be similar to when Ohio State went to Nebraska 2019, which was on a similar timeline The Cornhuskers had some preseason hype on the back of an intriguing quarterback while the Buckeyes were breaking in a new starting quarterback and hoping their defense could take the next step.
OSU proceeded to wipe the floor with Nebraska and we all left Lincoln ready to believe this was the nation’s most complete team.
I’m not sold on Sam Hartman being more than what he has been for six years already. But I am sold on the idea that Ryan Day and Jim Knowles have both spent the first three weeks holding back until the moment called for them not to. That moment has arrived and I think we might all have a similar feeling to 2019 when we leave South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday night.
Game pick: Ohio State -3 (8 BTT)
Over/under: OVER 55 (2 BTT)
Andrew Gillis
Ohio State 30, Notre Dame 20
This is a game where, yes, Ohio State will cover. Yes, Ohio State will prove they’re the better and more talented team. Yes, it will be clear who “deserved” to win. But it will not come easy.
Notre Dame is live this year. The Irish have a quarterback now, they’ve got a good running back, and they’ve got improved weapons on the outside from a year ago. The secondary is sneakily good, and Marcus Freeman in Year 2 is a more experienced coach than he was in September 2022. Those things matter in a game like this.
But the Buckeyes just have more weapons. They’re more talented than the Irish, and that’s going to show up in the second half for the second-straight season. Expect Ohio State to pull away late for a win and a cover.
Game pick: Ohio State -3 (10 BTT)
Over/under: UNDER 55.5 (15 BTT)
Week 3 results
NATHAN BAIRD
Previous bankroll: 79
Game pick: Ohio State -29 WON +9.09
Over/under: Under 64 LOST -2
Season record: 1-2-0 ATS, 1-2-0 O/U
New bankroll: 86.09
ANDREW GILLIS
Previous bankroll: 102.10
Game pick: Ohio State -29 WON +4.55
O/U: Over 64 WON +9.09
Season record: 2-1-0 ATS, 3-0-0 O/U
New bankroll: 115.74
STEPHEN MEANS
Previous bankroll: 80
Game pick: Ohio State -29 WON +3.64
O/U: OVER 64 WON +5.45
Season record: 1-2-0 ATS, 1-2-0 O/U
New bankroll: 89.09
If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.