By Jay Berry
Lou Holtz is stirring the pot again leading up to the National Championship game. His new comments on X are that Ohio State has talent, but they don’t have the heart and the culture of Notre Dame. He also said that if Notre Dame doesn’t win, it will be because they want to preserve Ryan Day‘s job. Yikes!
Holtz talking about the Buckeyes before their matchup with the Irish is nothing new. Leading up to Notre Dame’s matchup last season against the Buckeyes, Lou Holtz called Ohio State soft, adding that they lacked toughness.
Holtz said, “If Notre Dame doesn’t win, it’s because we want to preserve Ryan Day’s job.” When asked about if he would be at the game, Holtz said. “I was originally going to be at the game in spirit, but now I’ll be dragging my body along as well.”
If Notre Dame doesn’t win, it’s because we want to preserve Ryan Day’s job.
I was originally going to be at the game in spirit, but now I’ll be dragging my body along as well. https://t.co/VF6WOuNzhB
— Lou Holtz (@CoachLouHoltz88) January 15, 2025
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I understand his love for Notre Dame. He spent 11 years coaching there, winning 100 games for the Irish, including an undefeated National Championship season in 1988. However, now is not an excellent time for him to talk trash. Ohio State beat Notre Dame in a challenging 17–14 game after he called them soft last season.
This Buckeyes team is loaded with talent and on a mission. Everyone involved with the program has been on a mission since the Michigan loss. Ohio State’s average margin of victory in their three playoff games is 20 points. They beat Tennessee by 25, Oregon by 21, and Texas by 14.
Holtz also said, “Ohio State has the talent, but Notre Dame has the heart, the culture, and the defense to win this game. Stay patient, run the football, and trust the process. Notre Dame wins a close one—by 3. Remember, we’re Notre Dame, and they ain’t!”
Ohio State has the talent, but Notre Dame has the heart, the culture, and the defense to win this game.
Stay patient, run the football, and trust the process.
Notre Dame wins a close one—by 3.
Remember, we’re Notre Dame and they ain’t! pic.twitter.com/uDKng78jNe
— Lou Holtz (@CoachLouHoltz88) January 15, 2025
The Outlook for the National Championship Game
In the Cotton Bowl game against Texas, the Buckeyes had a lot of Penalties and self-inflicted mistakes that cost them momentum at times. Despite this, Ohio State still won by 14.
Notre Dame has had a heck of a season, and Marcus Freeman is a coach whose team rallies around him, and they have something special there. At the same point, it’s not wise of Lou Holtz to poke the dragon, who has been wide awake and taking care of business lately.
Ohio State has had success running the ball in two out of their last three games. The Buckeyes rushed for 181 yards in the Rose Bowl against Oregon and 156 yards in their first-round playoff game against Tennessee. However, against Texas in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, they only finished with 81 yards rushing but averaged 6.5 yards per play on offense.
The stakes get no more significant than the National Championship.
This game will test Notre Dame’s defense. Their secondary and overall defensive performance has been phenomenal, but the Buckeyes have weapons. The Irish often utilize man coverage, and this week, that coverage will face a significant challenge against a team with a strong lineup of wide receivers.
All eyes in the college football world will be on Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday night. Regardless of which side you support, the anticipation and ratings for this game will be enormous. Two legendary programs are facing off for the National Championship of college football to put an end to the first 12-team College Football Playoff.
