#Buckeyes Preview 12.31.15: Ohio State v. Notre Dame #FiestaBowl

By @jddisantis


The BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl hit the jackpot when it landed two of college footballs biggest powers for their New Years Day bowl game.  Few schools "move the needle" like #7 Ohio State (11-1) and #8 Notre Dame (10-2) as these two teams should provide an entertaining game along with more first rounders in next years NFL draft than any other game this bowl season.  Both teams are looking to finish their season on a high note with a New Years Six bowl win and momentum heading into recruiting and next season.

While Ohio State will be without both starting defensive tackles, Notre Dame will be getting healthier on the offensive side of the ball for this game.  The Buckeyes will be without Adolphus Washington due to suspension for soliciting a prostitute and will also be missing Tommy Schutt from a broken foot.  For Notre Dame, starting running back C. J. Prosise should finally be healthy since leaving with an ankle injury against Boston College.  Adding Prosise will give the Irish a 1000 yard rusher with dual threat skills out of the backfield.

The matchup most people will be watching (including NFL scouts) will be against Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Ohio State defensive end, Joey Bosa.  Bosa will look to create pressure from the blindside of Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer.  That type of pressure is something Kizer hasn't had to deal with much of this season.  Unfortunately with the injuries on the Buckeye defensive line there has been talk about Bosa moving around and lining up at multiple positions so we may not get to see as much of the Stanley/Bosa battle as we originally hoped but we should still get a great matchup to watch.

This game will be the first head-to-head match-up between Notre Dame's Brian Kelly and Ohio State's Urban Meyer.  Kelly is 4-4 in bowl games while Meyer boasts an impressive 9-2 record in college postseason.  This game may provide some strong persuasion when it comes to recruiting between these two teams.  Notre Dame has always done well in Ohio and Brian Kelly's history at the University of Cincinnati has him very familiar with Catholic schools in southern Ohio.  Many recruits will have their eyes on this clash of mid-western powerhouses.

Both teams had national championship hopes in the beginning of the year but stumbled along the way.  Although losses, all three teams that collectively beat Buckeyes and Fighting Irish are also playing in the big New Years Six, two of which (Clemson and Michigan State) have an opportunity to play for a national championship.  Despite the hype surrounding this classic match-up. these two teams aren't playing for anything other than bragging rights, and possibly recruits.  With so many first round draft picks anticipated in this game, hopefully neither team has checked out mentally and is focused at the immediate task at hand.  


What:  BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl
When:  January 1st, 1 PM ET
Where:  University of Pheonix Stadium, Glendale Arizona
Watch:  ESPN

Leadoff with Lee 8.19.14

-Don't let the 24-23 score fool you, the game wasn't really that close. Neither Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel proved they deserved to be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. It seemed as if the rotating quarterbacks couldn't get into a rythem or build chemistry with the wideouts. Throws were high, low, behind and even hit their receivers hands for incomplete passes. Penalties also killed the Browns which I'm sure Mike Pettine isn't happy about. It also seemed as if Manziel didn't recognize blitz formations. He needs to change the protection, call an audible and/or know who is his "HOT" receiver. The defense looked decent with a great goal line stand. Joe Haden had a nice 37 yard interception as well. The Browns will have a short week as they play Saturday at home, against the St. Louis Rams.

-Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller re-injured his surgically repaired right shoulder in practice yesterday. His availability for the upcoming season is in question. Miller will have an MRI today to see if any additional damage was done to his shoulder or if it simply needs more rest. J.T. Barrett seems to be the front runner for Braxton's spot if he's unavailable for the Buckeyes first game August 30 at Navy. Cleveland Glenville's own Cardale Jones will be his backup. Both are freshman and participated in OSU's spring practice. It is unknown if Miller will apply for a medical redshirt if he is unavailable this season.

-The preseason AP poll was released and Ohio State ranked 5th. In the coaches poll released a few weeks ago, they ranked 6th.

-Four Notre Dame football players have been suspended and are being investigated for academic fraud. Notre Dame said in a statement that receiver DaVaris Daniels, defensive back KeiVarae Russell, defensive lineman Ishaq Williams and linebacker Kendall Moore submitted papers and homework written for them by others. No timetable has been placed on when the investigation will be complete.

-Shawn Marion officially agreed to the veterans league minimum ($1.4 million) to play with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Marion played for the Dallas Mavericks last season, averaging 10.4ppg and 6.5 rebounds. The 6'7", 36-year-old Marion will come off the bench to play small and power forward, making him very versitile.

-Kell Brook defeated Akron native "Showtime" Shawn Porter to become the new IBF Welterweight Champion. Brook won 117-111 and 116-112 on the American judge score cards and 114-114 and 115-113 on the English judge score cards. Porter expects a rematch, saying "Anytime, any place, I'm gonna take him".