5 reasons why Ohio State can secure a major win against Notre Dame in the national championship showdown

Ohio State is one game away. The Buckeyes won the first ever four-team CFP title a decade ago, and now they're on the cusp of winning the first ever 12-team CFP title. Only Notre Dame stands in the Buckeyes' way. OSU is an early 9.5 point favorite over the Irish, which should be pretty solid testimony that Ohio State is a force to be reckoned with. Here's five reasons the Buckeyes will win.

5 reasons Ohio State wins national title over Notre Dame

Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is a generational player for the Buckeyes. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

5. The best defense in college football

Ohio State has the best scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 12.2 points per game. The Buckeyes also allow the fewest yards in the nation at 251.1 yards per game. Ohio State's 51 sacks are third nationally.

But more than numbers, there's an attitude that Ohio State uses to dominate. Texas, after all, had 1st and goal at the Ohio State 1-yard line down a score late in the semifinal game. A fourth down strip sack basically salted the game away, as one of the nation's top offenses moved only backward agaisnt the Buckeye defense.

4. Ferocious 1-2 ground attack

Ohio State has not one but two of the nation's top running backs in Treveyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. They've shared the ball admirably, with Henderson at 967 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns and Judkins at 960 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

That production is even crazier in the lack of any resume-boosting games. Henderson has zero 100 yard games this season and Judkins had just two, with those coming in Weeks 2 and 3. Notre Dame has an impressive ground game too, but OSU is likely to finish with a pair of 1,000 yard rushers.

3. Will Howard's cool under pressure

Transfer QB Will Howard has been as good as the Buckeyes could have hoped. Not only does he have 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns, but he's been at his absolute best when the chips are down. On 4th down passing attempts this year, Howard is 10 for 13 for 171 yards and two scores. With OSU behind, he has completed 62 of 83 passes for 770 yards, nine touchdowns and one pick.

Howard has been better than servicable and he's gone up a notch or two with the game on the line. That's a big advantage for the Buckeyes.

2. Jeremiah Smith is the next epic wide receiver star

True freshman Jeremiah Smith is likely already the best wide reciever in college football. The talented frosh is climbing the OSU single-season record list with 71 catches for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns. At 17.3 yards per catch, Smith is obviously a threat from everywhere on the field on every play. He was quiet against Texas but is likely to have a big finale.

1.They're simply too talented to lose

Ultimately, this Ohio State team is probably the nation's best collection of talent. Ryan Day was aggressive not only in high school recruiting, but in the transfer portal. Additions like Howard, Judkins and safety Caleb Downs demonstrate just how talented this Buckeye team is. Simply put, there are too many great Ohio State players for the Buckeyes to lose.

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