The Fighting Irish, led by quarterback Tyler Buchner will clash with CJ Stroud and the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus for the first time since 1995. Everyone is already picking the highly favored Buckeyes to beat the Irish at home with their returning NFL-caliber quarterback. But Tyler Buchner has a chance to prove the Irish skeptics wrong and join a short list of quarterbacks to win at Ohio Stadium this decade.
CJ Stroud Player Profile
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Inland Empire, California
- Height/Weight: 6’ 3” 215 lbs
- 2021 Passing Stats: 317 for 441 (72%) for 4,435 passing yards, 44 passing touchdowns, and 6 interceptions
- 2021 Rushing Stats: 32 attempts for -20 yards, 0 rushing touchdowns
CJ Stroud is one of the top quarterbacks in the country. He and Bryce Young are the two frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy this fall. However, the Ohio State Quarterback was not perfect early on last season, and the Buckeyes did allow Oregon to knock them off at home.
If the Buckeye Offense does not come out of the gates on fire, the Irish may have a chance to upset Ohio State early in the season like the Ducks a year ago.
Tyler Buchner Player Profile
- Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: San Diego, California
- Height/ Weight: 6’ 1” 215 lbs
- 2021 Passing Stats: 21 for 35 (60%) for 298 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 3 interceptions
- 2021 Rushing Stats: 46 attempts for 336 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and 3 rushing touchdowns
Tyler Buchner’s first start will be on the road against a top-five-ranked Ohio State team. Although this will be his opening start, he did play a significant role in the game against Virginia Tech last fall, where he scored two touchdowns (Jack Coan started and finished the game).
This fall, the young Irish quarterback will be a major x-factor for the program. Injuries hampered Buchner’s high school career, and he was also unable to play in this year’s spring game. However, alongside Tommy Rees, Notre Dame fans are hopeful for Tyler Buchner’s development in South Bend.
Early momentum is pivotal for the Irish
Let us not forget Ohio State beat #7 Michigan State 56 to 7 at home a year ago. The Buckeyes not only have one of the best quarterbacks in the country but perhaps the best wide receiver group with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Julian Fleming, and others.
Conversely, Notre Dame is built around a strong offensive line and talented running backs. The Irish will have a blend of experience and youth at their receiving core. Avery Davis, Braden Lenzy, and Michael Mayer bring back a lot of production for the Fighting Irish, while Lorenzo Styles Jr. and Deion Colzie could have breakout seasons.
Final Thoughts
Ryan Day has become one of the best quarterback developers in the country. CJ Stroud is destined to be a 1st round pick, if not the #1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft. The difference for programs like Ohio State has been exceptional quarterback play throughout their success over the past two decades.
It is extremely difficult to win a national championship without a Heisman-caliber quarterback. However, the Georgia Bulldogs did pull it off last year (albeit with one of the best defenses in college football history).
Tommy Rees has done a tremendous job of developing Ian Book and even Jack Coan a year ago. Tyler Buchner has all the skills for Rees to finally run RPOs and utilize the full playbook this season. For Marcus Freeman to beat Ohio State and make a playoff run, the Irish must have a solid passing attack with Tyler Buchner.
MTA, lucky you have me as a Natura Philosopher, since Nostrodamus was just a skilled wannabe – all copied style – no substance…not a Roger Bacon, or a Bruno, nor even a Teihard de Chardin. With that in mind, and having been in the OSU stadium for our mid-nineties loss there, I see a quiet OSU crowd, as it was while we outplayed them in quarter one (until some buffoon muffed a punt .. then the roof fell in with a never ending thunderous roar).
GO IRISH – play it clean, win one for one of the last two NP’s on this planet, now that Disney is gone!
If ND keeps this close, I will be beyond shocked.
Hmmm… you are right , ND should just save their money and time by just forfeiting this game! lol
ND will keep it close if not win this game!
You should have just stayed quiet, instead of publicly revealing your mental limitation.
This game will be decided on the line of scrimmage
Agreed Keith. It also will depend on what, if any, adjustments are made at halftime. If anyone finds this confusing, rewatch our bowl game against Oklahoma State.
BGC 77 82
We have not beaten Ohio State since the 1930’s. The last time a man without any head coaching experience succeeded as HC at Notre Dame was more than 100 years ago (Rockne 1918). It would be a very nice time to reverse some ancient trends. Go Irish.
BGC 77 82
Face it…..during the Kelly years in big games…the defense for the Irish hung tight until they were played out due to the offense went 3 and out repeatedly. In order for the Irish to be in this Ohio State game at all…both sides, offense and defense are going to have to be playing strong. I believe this may be one of the great defenses of Notre Dame football. Go Irish! Go Buchner! Achieve Greatness!
Given enough time, even Buchner could look like a real QB. Unfortunately, may have to suffer through this loss for Freeman to realize Angelini s/b the starting QB. Just hoping game is not an embarrassment. Before being accused of it, let me say, I am not a Buchner hater. Just want the best for ND. When he thinks the play isn’t gonna work, like Book he tucks and runs. We need a guy who thinks, I can make this play work. Angelini looks like that guy.
I will for the Irish
Despite my sincere hope that Tyler evolves and ends up going down in ND lore, at the present moment he and CJ Stroud don’t belong side by side in the same article. Those stat lines are depressing when compared. >7:1 TD:INT ratio versus 1:1. It just isn’t fair to Tyler.
The old adage “games are won in the trenches,” holds true for this matchup. There is no way that OSU’s O-line or defensive front 7 are better than ND’s. It all depends on how quickly the Irish come together as a TEAM. Go Irish ☘️ ☘️
that is somewhat true. People keep saying ND front 7 easily overmatches Ohio and wins by 3 to 14 points on the road. Just taking a look at the last 3 recruiting cycles, players, last year teams and a first game. its a toss up ? not really and the better QB WR RB and coaches play will win game and better players. And it all depends on how quickly the Irish/OHIO come together as a team. Still picking OHio to win can ND win of course any team can on any given saturday. BUT a new coach, new starting QB, both teams have new defenses coaches etc etc etc. pick Ohio by 10 but Irish can win
The following early likely predictions are offered with no consultation with Nostradamus
Bet the over . . .
tOhio State will make big chunk plays with Stroud and their elite receivers.
ND will have to score TDs instead of FGs.
How many big plays ND’s D’ makes will decide the game. Go Irish.