Kirk Herbstreit: Ohio State defense will be difference against Notre Dame

Kirk Herbstreit believes one of the top determine factors in Ohio State at Notre Dame will be one of the game’s biggest question marks, the Buckeyes defense.

During a hit on ESPN’s College GameDay, Herbstreit explained that he needs to see more from the Ohio State defense, especially following the way they ended last season, and have started 2023.

“I would say this about the Ohio State defense, we don’t know yet,” Herbstreit claimed. “I mean, the way they ended last year against Michigan and Georgia, had a lot of anticipation leading into this year. Second year with Jim Knowles. They’ve been okay. If you’ve really watched them, one thing that they’ve not been able to do is get after the quarterback.

“Now they’re playing this game on the road, can their defensive ends apply pressure, and be able to be a defense that can be disruptive, or do they have to blitz? The front-four of Ohio State against that offensive line of Notre Dame, I think will go a long way towards dictating the outcome of the game.”

One thing the Buckeyes defense will have their hands fill with is Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman. He’s been fantastic for the Fighting Irish in his first season with the program, and there hasn’t been a team able to stop him in 2023.

While Herbstreit is readying to see what the Ohio State defense can do, he also explained why he’s excited to see what Hartman can do against the Buckeyes.

“I think that they’re able to run the football (to) set up their pass. I think you’ve got a veteran quarterback in Sam Hartman, which allows him to be accurate downfield. It’s been a long time since Notre Dame’s had a quarterback that can do that,” Herbstreit said. “That’s another aspect of his game that I think people sometimes underestimate, his ability to get around some traffic in front of him and keep his eyes focused downfield. I think when you have a quarterback that’s playing the way he is, it impacts the entire team, and creates a lot of belief and confidence. I think that’s where Notre Dame is right now. 

“I’d ask you, name a Notre Dame quarterback that last brought this kind of energy and belief to this Notre Dame team. It’s been a long time, and I think Hartman, we knew coming over from Wake, running that system that he ran there for Dave Clawson, coming into Notre Dame. We knew he could be good, but I don’t think anybody expected him to be this good, especially with the accuracy downfield. … If he plays well tonight and they beat Ohio State on this stage, that’ll be a big thing that they’ll be talking about. He’ll be right up there with Caleb Williams, Shedeur Sanders and others. Maybe Drake Maye.”

Time will tell if Sam Hartman or the Ohio State defense gets the victory on Saturday, but you can bet it’ll be a battle under the lights.