Notre Dame football at Ohio State: Things to watch for

Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Notre Dame football team takes on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 1 of the college football season. Here are some things to watch for.

It is officially game week for the Notre Dame football team, as they head to Ohio to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. For the Irish, this is a huge Week 1 challenge, as the Buckeyes were ranked No. 2 in the country in the preseason AP Poll.

However, the Irish were ranked No. 5, making this a marquee matchup in Week 1, and a game that has serious College Football Playoff implications. As we inch closer to game time, here are some things to keep an eye on.

Notre Dame football at Ohio State: Things to watch for

Can the Irish slow down CJ Stroud?

Looking at the Ohio State offense, it all revolves around CJ Stroud, their dynamic quarterback who is a potential Heisman Trophy candidate in 2022. Stroud lost two of his key weapons to the 2022 NFL Draft but returns Jaxon Smith-Njigba, regarded by many as the best wide receiver in the country this season.

If the Irish are to stop this Buckeyes offense, they have to get Stroud uncomfortable, and they certainly have the defense to do so. Freeing up Isaiah Foskey to make some noise in the backfield is paramount, as is the play of the secondary, led by two potential first-round picks in Cam Hart and Brandon Joseph.

How Tyler Buchner fares in start No. 1

The biggest storyline of the offseason was which player would be the starting quarterback for Notre Dame this season, a story that ended with Tyler Buchner being named the starter. Buchner beat out Drew Pyne to earn the starting job, and in start No. 1, he will be going up against a potential national title contender.

For Buchner, this is a perfect way to start your collegiate career, as he showed as a true freshman last season that he does not get rattled. Sure, Ohio State is going to be a tough matchup, but he has the ability to hurt teams with his arm, and his legs, so he is the best player possible to lead this team into action Saturday night.

Marcus Freeman is back at his alma mater

Not only is head coach Marcus Freeman making his first regular-season appearance as a collegiate head coach, but he is doing so against his alma mater. Freeman was a star linebacker for Ohio State between 2004-09, was born in the state of Ohio, and got his coaching start with the Buckeyes as a graduate assistant back in 2010.

To notch his first collegiate win against the Buckeyes would be the icing on the cake for Freeman, who established himself as one of the great assistant coaches in the country before getting his chance to lead a program.

Notre Dame is a monster underdog in this game, and there is no shortage of storylines in this matchup, so buckle up for what should be an exciting Saturday night. The Irish have to go out and prove they belong in the CFP conversation in Week 1, as a blowout loss could be devastating for them the rest of the way.