ATLANTA — The Post’s Zach Braziller breaks down the national championship game (Monday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN) between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
When Notre Dame has the ball
It is the country’s sixth-ranked scoring offense and No. 14 rushing attack (Notre Dame) against the No. 1 scoring defense and No. 3 rushing defense (Ohio State).
It is strength against strength. But, really, this showdown could boil down to if the Irish can run the ball against the Buckeyes’ fierce front seven.
Notre Dame doesn’t feature a potent passing attack — quarterback Riley Leonard threw only 19 touchdown passes all year and didn’t eclipse 300 yards once all season — and relies on the run to set up the pass.
Ohio State, however, held Oregon, Texas and Tennessee to a combined 187 rushing yards in three playoff wins.
Keep an eye on Notre Dame left tackle Charles Jagusah, who is expected to start after tearing his right pectoral in August.
His replacement, Anthonie Knapp, was lost to a high ankle sprain in the semifinal win over Penn State.
Edge: Ohio State
When Ohio State has the ball
Notre Dame typically plays man coverage, trusting its terrific cornerbacks.
The Irish led the country in defensive passing efficiency, a key to their second-ranked scoring defense.
But they haven’t seen receivers like the ones belonging to Ohio State. And it’s not just superstar freshman Jeremiah Smith (1,227 yards, 14 touchdowns).
Emeka Egbuka (947 yards, 10 TDs) and Carnell Tate (698 yards, four TDs) are dangerous, too, and the Buckeyes also feature dynamic running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, a tandem that combined for 1,927 rushing yards and 22 scores on the ground.
Oregon and Texas, which had consensus top-20 defenses, couldn’t slow down this explosive unit.
Edge: Ohio State
Special Teams
Notre Dame’s special teams played a major role in the quarterfinal win over Georgia with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jayden Harrison and by drawing the Bulldogs offsides on fourth down after initially setting up to punt.
The Irish like to be creative.
Their kickers, however, missed 11 attempts this year, although Mitch Jeter came through in the clutch in the semifinal with a game-winning 41-yarder.
Ohio State’s Jayden Fielding is more reliable, going 11-for-15 this year.
Edge: Notre Dame
Coaching
Both Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Ohio State’s Ryan Day are looking for their first national championship.
They have each shown the ability to deal with adversity well, Freeman righting the ship after the stunning Week 2 loss to North Illinois and Day following the Thanksgiving weekend loss to bitter rival Michigan.
Each coach landed his first head coach job at his current school after initially being given the interim tag. One will reach the mountain top in Atlanta.
Edge: Even
Players who could decide the game (non-quarterbacks)
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
A consensus All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, Downs more than lived up to the hype as one of the premier players to enter the transfer portal last offseason.
Nick Saban said last year that Downs was one of the most complete players he ever coached at Alabama. That’s incredibly high praise.
RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
It’s hard to see the Irish being in this game without Love making a major impact.
The 1,000-yard rusher says he is healthy after being slowed through the playoff due to a knee injury, and the sophomore will need to be at his best on Monday night.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Ohio State’s freshman record-holder in receptions (71), receiving yards (1,227) and touchdown catches (14) is a game-wrecker.
Some NFL draft analysts believe, if eligible, he would be a top-5 pick right now.
Will Notre Dame really attempt to defend him with man coverage?
Prediction
The Irish are gritty.
They are tough.
They are determined.
But they are not nearly as talented as Ohio State.
The Buckeyes can play their “C” game and win.
I do expect it to be competitive — the Irish aren’t getting blown out — but it’s difficult to see an upset.
The Buckeyes are too balanced and too stout up front defensively, which will neutralize Notre Dame’s offensive strength. In the end, they wear down Marcus Freeman’s gutty team in the final quarter.
Ohio State 28, Notre Dame 17
