Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud can solidify his status as the favorite for the Heisman Trophy when he and the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes face the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a marquee matchup on Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Stroud finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting last season after earning Big Ten offensive player of the year honors. He enters the season as the +200 favorite in the Heisman Trophy odds, ahead of last year's winner, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (+430). Stroud can make an early-season statement against the Irish on Saturday.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET. The Buckeyes are 17-point favorites in the latest Ohio State vs. Notre Dame odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 58.5. Before making any Notre Dame vs. Ohio State picks, be sure to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It enters Week 1 of the 2022 college football season on a 45-32 run on all top-rated college football spread and money-line picks that dates back to 2021. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Ohio State vs. Notre Dame and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college football odds and betting lines for Notre Dame vs. Ohio State:
- Ohio State vs. Notre Dame spread: Buckeyes -17
- Ohio State vs. Notre Dame over/under: 58.5 points
- Ohio State vs. Notre Dame money line: Buckeyes -800, Fighting Irish +550
- OHST: Stroud finished second in the country in passer efficiency rating (186.6) last year.
- ND: The Irish led the nation in fumbles recovered (19) last season.
- Ohio State vs. Notre Dame picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Ohio State can cover
Stroud has one of the best receivers in the country in Jaxon Smith-Njigba to work with. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior from Rockwall, Texas, set a Big Ten record with 1,606 receiving yards last season. He also had an Ohio State record with 95 receptions and ended the season with five consecutive 100-yard receiving games.
In addition, the Buckeyes are dominant at home. Over their last 30 games at Ohio Stadium, they are 29-1, with the average score being 49-18. That includes a 9-1 record against ranked teams in which the final score has averaged 41-22.
Why Notre Dame can cover
Notre Dame has arguably the best tight end in the country in Michael Mayer. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound junior already owns the school records for receptions by a tight end in a season (71 in 2021) and touchdowns by a tight end in a season (seven in '21). He enters 2022 as a member of the Associated Press preseason all-America second team.
In addition, the Irish added a key member in the secondary in the offseason in safety Brandon Joseph. A transfer from Northwestern, Joseph is coming off two All-America seasons with the Wildcats. Over the past two years he has nine interceptions, tied for the most by any player in the FBS, including a Big Ten-leading six in 2020.
How to make Notre Dame vs. Ohio State picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 59 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in more than 60% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Ohio State vs. Notre Dame? And which side of the spread hits in more than 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.
