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Lou Holtz explains why he’s picking Notre Dame to beat ‘better team’ Ohio State in national title game
Lou Holtz is rolling with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to take down the Ohio State Buckeyes in the national title game.
The legendary coach admitted that Ohio State is the “better team,” but thinks the Irish can win due to their culture and physicality.
“When you look at it, Ohio State is the best team,” Holtz told Rob Ollder of The Columbus Dispatch. “They have an explosive offense and their defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) has done a tremendous job. They’re something like a nine-point favorite. However, in a one-game, winner-take-all, anything can happen. I like Notre Dame’s culture. They’re very physical, but they have to keep it close by forcing Ohio State’s offense off the field.”
Holtz also added that all the pressure will be on the Buckeyes after their dominant performances over the past month.
“That puts pressure on Ohio State, which is used to winning and winning big,” Holtz said. “Ohio State is the better team, but I think Notre Dame finds a way to prevail. It’s going to take a big effort.”
The Buckeyes enter the matchup having won Playoff games against Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas. The Irish, meanwhile, have knocked off SMU, Boise State, and Penn State.
Holtz coached at Notre Dame for 11 seasons from 1986-96. The coach compiled a 100-30-2 record with the Irish and won the National Championship Game with the team in 1988. The coach was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
It’s not surprising that Holtz picked against Ryan Day, considering the men still seem to have beef with each other.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.