Ace up the sleeve! “Three Critical Weaknesses in Ohio State’s Offense and Defense That Notre Dame Can Exploit to Tilt the CFP National Championship Final in Their Favor”…
The College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish promises to be a clash of powerhouses.
Both teams have shown dominance throughout the season, but no team is without weaknesses. Notre Dame’s success in this game will hinge on its ability to identify and exploit Ohio State’s vulnerabilities. Here are three glaring weaknesses that the Irish can target to secure a victory.
1. Quarterback Inexperience and Pressure Response
Ohio State’s offensive success has historically been predicated on elite quarterback play. However, in 2025, the Buckeyes have seen a dip in consistency at this critical position. Kyle McCord, while showing flashes of brilliance, has struggled under heavy defensive pressure.
His tendency to hold onto the ball too long, combined with bouts of indecision, has led to costly turnovers and missed opportunities. Against high-caliber opponents, these issues have been magnified, exposing a lack of composure in high-pressure situations.
Notre Dame’s Exploitation Strategy:
Aggressive Blitzing: Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Al Golden will likely focus on creating relentless pressure on McCord. By disguising blitzes and sending extra pass rushers, the Irish can force McCord into hurried throws, increasing the likelihood of mistakes.
Zone Coverage Confusion: The Irish defense has excelled at blending zone and man coverage schemes. This unpredictability can confuse McCord, leading to ill-advised throws into tight windows.
Edge Rush Dominance: Notre Dame’s edge rushers, led by standout defensive lineman Javontae Jean-Baptiste, can target Ohio State’s offensive tackles, particularly on passing downs.
Exploiting weak spots in pass protection will be key to collapsing the pocket and limiting McCord’s ability to extend plays.
By making McCord uncomfortable and forcing him into errors, Notre Dame can gain the upper hand defensively and create momentum-shifting turnovers.
2. Secondary Vulnerabilities in Coverage
Ohio State’s secondary has been inconsistent throughout the season, particularly in defending against elite passing offenses. While the Buckeyes possess talented defensive backs, communication breakdowns and a lack of cohesion in coverage have been exploited by opponents.
These issues are especially evident in deep coverage, where receivers have frequently found themselves open downfield.
Notre Dame’s Exploitation Strategy:
Vertical Passing Attack: With quarterback Sam Hartman leading the charge, Notre Dame has a proven deep threat.
Hartman’s accuracy on long throws, combined with the speed and route-running ability of wide receivers like Tobias Merriweather and Rico Flores Jr., presents a significant challenge for Ohio State’s defensive backs.
Exploiting Matchups: The Buckeyes’ cornerbacks have struggled against physical receivers. Notre Dame’s tight end Mitchell Evans, known for his size and ability to win contested catches, can exploit mismatches against Ohio State’s linebackers and safeties in the middle of the field.
Tempo and Play Action: By utilizing a fast-paced offense and play-action passes, Notre Dame can exploit Ohio State’s tendency to bite on run fakes. This approach creates opportunities for big plays over the top.
Targeting Ohio State’s secondary weaknesses will allow Notre Dame to stretch the field, score quickly, and keep the Buckeyes’ defense on its heels.
3. Penalty-Prone Discipline Issues
One of Ohio State’s most glaring weaknesses this season has been its lack of discipline, as evidenced by a high number of penalties in key moments.
These infractions, ranging from false starts to defensive pass interference, have stalled offensive drives and extended opponents’ possessions. In high-stakes games like the CFP Final, these mistakes can be costly.
Notre Dame’s Exploitation Strategy:
Drawing Penalties on Defense: Notre Dame’s receivers can use sharp route-running and physical play to draw holding or pass interference penalties.
The offensive line can also implement hard counts to induce offsides penalties from an aggressive Ohio State defensive line.
Maintaining Offensive Composure: By minimizing their own penalties, the Irish can gain a significant edge in field position and clock management. Clean execution will force Ohio State to play error-free football, which has proven challenging for them.
Exploiting Momentum Shifts: Discipline issues often lead to frustration and mental lapses. Notre Dame can capitalize on these moments by increasing tempo and attacking the Buckeyes immediately after a penalty, further exacerbating Ohio State’s struggles.
Winning the penalty battle is an often-overlooked but crucial aspect of championship football. By remaining disciplined and forcing Ohio State into mistakes, Notre Dame can control the flow of the game.
Ohio State is undoubtedly a powerhouse with a wealth of talent, but even the best teams have weaknesses. Notre Dame’s ability to exploit these vulnerabilities will determine whether they can claim victory in the CFP National Championship.
By pressuring quarterback Kyle McCord and forcing him into mistakes, Notre Dame can disrupt Ohio State’s offensive rhythm.
Exploiting the Buckeyes’ secondary through a vertical passing game and smart matchups will create scoring opportunities. Finally, maintaining discipline while capitalizing on Ohio State’s penalty-prone tendencies can provide the Irish with a critical edge in key moments.
While the game will ultimately be decided on the field, Notre Dame has the tools and strategies necessary to expose Ohio State’s flaws. If executed effectively, these approaches could pave the way for the Fighting Irish to hoist the championship trophy.
