Notre Dame football at Ohio State: Bold predictions in Week 1

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Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football at Ohio State: Bold predictions in Week 1

Tyler Buchner throws and runs for a score

This offseason, one of the bigger storylines was who would be the successor to Jack Coan as the starting quarterback for the Notre Dame football team. Last season, Coan did a terrific job as a graduate transfer, but he was spelled at times by true freshman Tyler Buchner, and sophomore Drew Pyne, the two men fighting it out to be his replacement this summer.

In the end, it was Buchner who came away with the starting job, and Saturday night, he makes his first collegiate start in one of the more hostile environments in college football. However, as we saw last season, Buchner is not one to get caught up in the hype or shrink in big moments, so I expect him to play solid football against the Buckeyes.

Buchner has not started a game in nearly three years, as he did not play his senior year due to COVID restrictions in the state of California. Against Ohio State, he is going to have his moments to shine, and when all is said and done, throwing and running for a score could be in the cards for No. 12.

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