.jpg?9033 "Youmans: My college football best bets for Week 1")
It’s easy to be impressed by Ohio State’s offensive firepower, starting with sophomore quarterback CJ Stroud, and there are plenty of reasons why the Buckeyes are the consensus No. 2 team in college football.
It’s tough to envision a new-look Notre Dame team as a serious title contender this season. It might get ugly early for the fifth-ranked Fighting Irish, who are making their first trip since 1995 to the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buckeyes scored a total of 115 points in their final two home games last season, blowout victories over Michigan State and Purdue teams that went on to win bowl games. Stroud, the Heisman Trophy favorite, returns along with running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and much more.
The Irish are starting an inexperienced quarterback, sophomore Tyler Buchner, who is surrounded by fewer playmakers. In a track meet, Notre Dame does not appear to have the speed to keep up, which is why Saturday’s showdown marks just the fourth time in the past 45 years a team has been favored by 17 points or more in a top-five matchup.