Buckeyes Now

Fighting Irish Legend Has 'No Doubt' Notre Dame Will Be 'Swinging'

A Notre Dame Fighting Irish legend joined "The Pat McAfee Show," pointing to one key factor as to why they have a chance to upset the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Casey Smith

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Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish legend Manti Te'o joined "The Pat McAfee Show" Thursday to discuss their matchup Saturday against the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes.

He pointed to No. 9 Notre Dame's 4-0 start to the season and the Fighting Irish "winning the games they're supposed to win by margins they're supposed to win it by," but understands the test that the Buckeyes present.

"You've got an Ohio State team that's coming in, so this is going to be a big test not only for the team but just like the atmosphere," Te'o said. "Ohio State's got that brand, they got that name, and sometimes when you're in that transition period, you don't know whether guys are going to look at the Ohio State brand and that name and be intimidated by it or if they're going to come out and swing. I have no doubt that they're going to come out there swinging."

Last year, Ohio State played a grind-it-out game against Notre Dame, out-scoring the Fighting Irish in the second half 14-0 to claim the 21-10 victory.

It was head coach Marcus Freeman's debut in what was a top-five matchup against the reigning Heisman Trophy finalist C.J. Stroud.

This season, the Fighting Irish have a fresh start at quarterback with Sam Hartman under center, but Te'o thinks the change in culture with Freeman leading the charge bodes well for Notre Dame.

"We've got the chance to take it to the top because of Marcus Freeman and who he is," Te'o said. "You talk to any of the players there, he's a player's coach. And all of us who have played the game, it definitely makes a difference when you have a coach that you'd literally run through a wall for."

Notre Dame and Ohio State kick off at Notre Dame Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.

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Casey Smith
CASEY SMITH

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