Two powerhouse football factory's meet when the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl.
Both teams are disappointed that they aren't playing in the Playoffs and it will be interesting to see which team shows up to play. You would think that both teams will be ready considering their opponent. I mean, if you're a Buckeye, how can you not be excited to face Notre Dame and vice versa for the Irish.
Ohio State could be one of the best four teams in the country, but they let their shield down in a loss to Michigan State that ruined their season and hopes of repeating as National Champions. Clearly, the Buckeyes are the best team that the Irish have faced all season. Yah, I said it Clemson fans.
The last time these two teams faced each other was in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl and the Buckeyes came out on top, 34-20. Ohio State leads the all-time series 3-2.
ODDS/INFO
Fiesta Bowl
January 1, 2016
1:00 p.m.,ET - ESPN
Glendale, Arizona
Notre Dame Fighting Irish +6.5
Ohio State Buckeyes -6.5
Game Total 56.5
KEY MATCHUPS
Joey Bosa against Ronnie Stanley is a battle between two players that will be 1st round draft picks. Bosa leads the Buckeyes defense and Stanley holds down the offensive line for the Irish. The Notre Dame senior has already made his plans to go pro public, so this head-to-head battle against another top prospect like Bosa should be among the most watched by scouts.
If Bosa is able to get the better of Stanley, it's going to be difficult for Notre Dame to get a legitimate passing attack going. The chances that Notre Dame will be able to win a game that features a run-dominant offense seems slim.
Another great matchup is junior wide receiver William Fuller of the Irish against sophomore defensive back Eli Apple of the Buckeyes. Fuller leads Notre Dame in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. It will be a tall order for Apple to contain Fuller for the entire game and he will need help from his teammates - Fuller is too good for Apple to contain on his own.
BETTING ANGLE
Ohio State opened up as a 6.5 point favorite and the line has not moved. The game total opened at 54 and has gone up to 56.5. With both teams having nearly a month to prepare for this game, you can expect both offenses to be firing on all cylinders.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This is the best non-playoff game in the bowl season. Two historic programs with something to prove. The winner of this game will have a huge edge in recruiting for the upcoming season. The game will start out slow with both teams feeling each other out, but a late first quarter miscue by the Irish will have the Buckeyes off and running and they will never look back and defeat the team from South Bend. Buckeyes win this game by double digits!
BookMaker opened the spread for this game at -6.5 in favor of Ohio State. The NCAA lines total surfaced at 56. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
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