Other than the epic battle coming up between Texas and USC, the matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame should offer the best game of the bowl season.
Charlie Weis has breathed new life in the great Notre Dame program, though his recent comments dwelling on the close losses this season seemed a little strange. Notre Dame has lost seven straight bowl games. They need to get their mind off of USC and focus on the Buckeyes. Notre Dame had a pretty tough schedule, but the Ohio State defense will present their toughest test yet. The key will be whether Ohio State can put enough pressure on Brady Quinn to disrupt Notre Dame’s explosive passing attack.
On the other side of the ball, Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes have won three straight bowl games, including the epic 2002 National Championship against Miami. Tressel knows how to prepare his team for big games, and the Buckeyes are thrilled to have a shot at Notre Dame after two disappointing losses earlier in the season against #2 Texas and #3 Penn State. This team has been playing great football since QB Troy Smith found his game in the middle of the season. I have to give the Buckeyes the edge.
