Back with the in-depth stats for @NDFootball  vs @OhioStateFB for the @CFBPlayoff National Championship Game:

Opponents Records:
Ohio State: 122-70
Notre Dame: 116-81

Opp Defense Avg Rank (Scoring/Total/Pass/Run):
Ohio State: 43.40/38.60/49.60/43.73
Notre Dame: 50.00/54.27/64.00/46.53

Opp Offensive Avg Rank (Scoring/Total/Pass/Run):
Ohio State: 65.80/74.27/75.27/67.87
Notre Dame: 65.33/68.60/76.80/59.73

Opp Defensive Line Stats Avg Rank (Sacks/TFL):
Ohio State: 51.00/55.67
Notre Dame: 59.47/65.87

Opp Offensive Line Stats Avg Rank (Sacks Allowed/TFL Allowed):
Ohio State: 61.87/55.27
Notre Dame: 55.87/52.60

Initial Notes:
-Ohio State's opponents have a slightly better winning percentage (0.64 Ohio State vs. 0.59 Notre Dame).
-Ohio State's offense has faced stingier defenses this season than has Notre Dame. The glaring statistic that sticks out here is that Notre Dame is ranked #102 (out of 134 teams) in pass offense but has faced on average all year the #64.00 ranked pass defense. While Ohio States pass offense is ranked #25 while facing on average the #49.60 ranked pass defense.
-Notre Dame is ranked #14 in run offense while facing on average the #46.53 ranked run defense. While Ohio State is ranked #66 in run offense while facing on average the #43.73 run defense.
-Notre Dame’s offensive line is banged up after the Penn State game and will be without at least one of their starters and possibly a second. This will be a massive issue for Notre Dame because along with the passing game issues (being ranked #102 in pass offense) they are ranked #44 in sacks allowed/game and #33 in TFL allowed/game. For perspective Oregon is currently ranked #40 and #23 in these categories and gave up 8 sacks and 13 TFLs to Ohio States defense who is currently ranked #3 in the nation in generating sacks/game and #21 in generating TFLs/game. 
-Ohio State’s offensive line has done very well during the last five games (CFP Participants: Indiana, Tennessee, Oregon, Texas – and then against Michigan) in averaging 0.6 sacks allowed/game and 4.4 TFLs allowed/game. For as good as Notre Dame’s defense is they are only ranked #37 in sacks/game and #71 in TFLs/game – and all year Ohio States offensive line is ranked #10 and #6 in preventing sacks and TFLs.
-On the defensive side of the ball there seems to be similarities on the surface level as the teams are ranked #1 (Ohio State) and #2 (Notre Dame) in scoring defense; #1 (Ohio State) and #9 (Notre Dame) in total defense; #1 (Ohio State) and #2 (Notre Dame) in pass defense; however, diving a little deeper there appears to be some kinks in Notre Dames defensive armor. Notre Dame is ranked #41 in run defense (Ohio State is ranked #3 in run defense) while both have faced fairly similarly ranked run offenses on average (Ohio States opponents average rank in run offense is #67.87 while Notre Dame’s opponents have an average rank of #59.73).

Ohio State on Offense:
-I hate to say this, but Ohio State should be able to use the run to set up the pass against Notre Dame. For as good Notre Dame’s defense is they are only ranked #41 in run defense and only #71 in generating TFLs on defense.
-Ohio State’s offensive line should also be able to give Will Howard time to throw the deep ball.
-With that being said Ohio State should still take shots down the field when the opportunity presents itself. But again, keep an eye on the explosive run plays from Ohio State as Notre Dame is ranked #64 in the nation on giving up running plays of 20+ yards.

Ohio State on Defense:
-Just keep doing what you have been doing. Notre Dame on paper is Tennessee but protects the quarterback slightly better. Tennessee and Notre Dame both have highly ranked scoring offenses that are horrendous in the passing game but can run the ball and both have mobile quarterbacks who will look to scramble and get down field when the play breaks down. For as good as JTT and Sawyer have been – please do not let them be the spy on Leonard – he will burn them. Either Averrell Reese or CJ Hicks should play this role.
-On paper, Leornard was the worst quarterback on the final four that remained. Additionally, with the beat-up Notre Dame offensive line it will compound the issues they have had protecting the quarterback. Look for the Buckeyes DL to have another big day.

Keys to the Game:
-Stop the run on defense, force obvious passing downs, get after the quarterback; however, do not allow Leornard to extend drives with his legs.
-Get off to a fast start on offense! This will also force Notre Dame into the passing game early on their offensive end. Ohio State should have plenty of time to throw the deep ball. Could be a game where the run game is used to set up the deep ball – however, be creative and don’t always run/pass on obvious run/pass downs.

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