By Patrick Weider
The Ohio State and Notre Dame rosters are loaded with talent – which has gotten both teams to this point. Today, I’m going to highlight the best players in the title game. This is not a list of the top draft prospects, but a list of the best and most impactful players for the game.
1) Jeremiah Smith
Ohio State Wide Receiver
Jeremiah Smith is the best wide receiver in College Football and his ability to make plays is impressive. I ranked him as the best player even though last week he only had one catch for three yards, as Texas made a point of emphasis to take him away. Texas doubled-team him most of the night, but it opened the door for his teammates to have a bigger game as Carnell Tate had seven catches for 87 yards and Emeka Egbuka had five catches for 51 yards. Notre Dame is one of the highest-man defense teams in the country, so I expect Smith to get more opportunities in the National Title game.
2) Jeremiyah Love
Notre Dame Running Back
Jeremiyah Love is a good ball carrier who can score anytime he touches the ball. He has been banged up with an injury, but he is expected to play in this game. Love enters this game with an eye-popping 7.1 yards per carry. He is a dynamic runner, and if Notre Dame is going to win this game he needs to play at a high level.
3) Jack Sawyer
Ohio State Defensive End
Jack Sawyer has been playing at a high level for the Buckeyes during the College Football playoffs. He made the play of the game against Texas by strip-sacking Quinn Ewers and racing to the end zone to ice the game. He also has had big games against Tennessee with five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. Then against Oregon, he had two sacks and two pass breakups. Sawyer has been a great player for Ohio State during the playoffs.
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4) Xavier Watts
Notre Dame Defensive Back
Xavier Watts is a difference-maker at defensive back. He has excellent coverage skills, but also is a good tackler in the open field. He also is a ball hawk, who has six interceptions on the year. If Notre Dame is going to win this game they need Watts to come up and make a ton of passing game and to limit Ohio State wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka.
5) Donovan Jackson
Ohio State Offensive Tackle
When Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons had a season-ending injury against Oregon, Ohio State needed a solution, so they moved their All-American guard to left tackle. After initially struggling against Penn State Jackson played well. In three Playoff games, Jackson has only allowed one pressure, which is impressive considering Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas all three have good defensive line fronts. Jackson will need to continue to play well against a good Notre Dame defensive line.
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6) Jack Kiser
Notre Dame Linebacker
Jack Kiser is another good defensive player for Notre Dame. He is a tackling machine for Notre Dame, as he leads them with 85 tackles. He does a good job making a ton of plays in or near the line of scrimmage. He will be important in this game to try to slow down the Ohio State rushing attack.
7) TreVeyon Henderson
Ohio State Running Back
Texas tied the score 7-7 late in the 1st half when Ohio State called a screen pass to TreVeyon Henderson. 75 yards later Henderson scored on an impressive screen pass where he set up his blocks well and used his speed to run by the Texas defenders. Henderson is a big play machine, and he can score anytime he touches the ball. That play in Texas was gigantic and helped Ohio State get a big score before the half.
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8) Caleb Downs
Ohio State Defensive Back
It is highway robbery to have Caleb Downs eighth on this, as he is an outstanding defender for Ohio State, but it just shows the talent on both teams. What makes Downs special is his ability to play the run and the pass equally. Against Notre Dame, he will need to help the Ohio State defense slow down running back Jeremiyah Love and the dynamic Notre Dame rushing attack.
9) Riley Leonard
Notre Dame Quarterback
Riley Leonard is not the most accomplished passer, but he is a good player who is a physical runner who is hard to bring down. He is their second-leading rusher in the year with 866 yards and 16 touchdowns. In short yardage and goal-line situations Notre Dame likes to run Leonard and he usually either gets the first or the touchdown. He is a tough and physical runner. He is also a capable passer who can make a big play when his team needs it.
10) Will Howard
Ohio State Quarterback
Will Howard is an underrated quarterback. He is second in the nation in QBR. He occasionally throws interceptions, and he did not play his best game against Michigan in the regular season final game, but he has played well in the playoffs. In three playoff games, he has thrown for 919 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. He did not play great against Texas but made several key plays on the last offensive drive to help win the game.
