Lou Holtz: 'Notre Dame is a better football team than Ohio State'

The eyes of the college football world are on South Bend, Indiana, for a top-10 showdown between Notre Dame and Ohio State. It feels like all the big names are on campus — including Fighting Irish legend Lou Holtz.

During his interview on The Pat McAfee Show with Ty Schmit, who’s famous for his Lou Holtz impression and donned a mask for the sit-down, Holtz logged his prediction. A former Ohio State assistant himself, he’s picking the Fighting Irish to not only cover the 3-point spread, but win by double digits.

“Notre Dame wins by 10. By 10,” Holtz said. “I believe that in my heart. We have all the ingredients you need. We have coaches, we have players, we’ve got fan support, we have it all right here.”

Holtz sounds very high on Notre Dame this season. The Fighting Irish are off to a 4-0 start to the season behind new quarterback Sam Hartman, who leads the nation in passing touchdowns entering Week 4.

He knows there’s plenty of history at Ohio State, as well, but pointed out one key to beating Ryan Day.

“Notre Dame is a better football team than Ohio State,” Holtz said. “And let me tell you why. We have the best offensive line in the country, Sam Hartman won’t even get his jersey dirty all year. He has time to throw the football. The offensive line, we have great running backs. Estime is averaging about 10 yards a carry. We have great receivers. So offensively, we’re set. Defensively, our defensive line’s better.

“You look at Coach Day, and I coached at Ohio State under Woody Hayes. We on the national championship when I was there. I’m proud of that. However, he has lost to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan twice and everybody beats him does so because they’re more physical than Ohio State. And I think Notre Dame will take that same approach.”

Notre Dame’s schedule so far doesn’t exactly jump off the page. The Fighting Irish are 4-0 with victories over Navy, Tennessee State, NC State and Central Michigan. Despite that, Holtz is confident Marcus Freeman’s group is ready take on an Ohio State team loaded with playmakers.

Why? Because Notre Dame has plenty of talent, too, he said.

“I know that our schedule hasn’t been the best,” Holtz said. “We’re 103rd in strength of schedule. However, that doesn’t bother me because every day, we get to practice against good, we get to practice covering our good receivers. It won’t be much different than covering the great receiver they have at Ohio State.”