- Brady Quinn, former Notre Dame quarterback and current college football analyst for FOX, has weighed in on the key factor for the Fighting Irish in their national title game against Ohio State. Quinn believes the success of Notre Dame’s defense, particularly in stopping the run, will be crucial to their chances of winning.
Ohio State features a powerful running back duo in TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who have combined for nearly 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. According to Quinn, halting the Buckeyes’ running game will be the biggest challenge for the Irish defense. “The hardest thing for Notre Dame in this game is going to be stopping the run,” Quinn stated in a recent appearance on Greg McElroy’s podcast, *Always College Football*. He highlighted the explosiveness of both Henderson and Judkins, noting that their ability to break off big runs could severely impact Notre Dame’s chances if they don’t control the line of scrimmage.
Quinn further emphasized that if Notre Dame fails to contain the run, Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly would have the luxury of opening up the full playbook. This would allow the Buckeyes to dictate the pace of the game, putting pressure on Notre Dame’s defense and possibly leading to trouble.
For Quinn, the key to keeping the game competitive, and potentially pulling off an upset, hinges on whether the Irish defense can slow down Ohio State’s dynamic running game. If they succeed in this, it could set the tone for the rest of the game and give Notre Dame a fighting chance.
