Ground Game May Be X-Factor For Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame

Ohio State is just hours removed from its Week 3 win, but they may be thinking ahead to Week 4 and how to outsmart Notre Dame's defense.

Finally, after two weeks of struggling with mediocre matchups, the Buckeyes played up to the level of their own talent. Week 3 saw the Ohio State Buckeyes run wild on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in a 63-10 blowout. 

Ohio State looks like they've benefitted immediately following head coach Ryan Day's call to name Kyle McCord as the starting quarterback. McCord, who bet out sophomore Devin Brown, notched 318 yards and three touchdowns. But while the focus is squarely on the Buckeyes' newly anointed signal caller, the real key to success in the near future may be their rushing attack. 

Ohio State has an extremely talented receiver department, but running back TreVeyon Henderson shouldn't be overlooked. He already has one 1,000-yard season under his belt and posted two touchdowns along with a 6.8-yard-per-carry average in Week 3's steamrolling of the Hilltoppers. 

He and fellow back Deamonte Trayanum totaled three scores on Saturday, which should have fans feeling good heading into Week 4, even if Notre Dame possesses a better defense than WKU.

The Fighting Irish will certainly be the best defense that the Buckeyes have faced this fall, but while Notre Dame is ranked in the top ten against the pass, they come in at 28th against the rush. 

With a lot of the Irish focus surely on world-class Buckeye receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, it could be the perfect opportunity for Day to pound the rock and instill a more physical style in his somewhat wobbly frontline. 

Not only could this result in an advantage for the Buckeyes, but it may give McCord a little breathing room in the pocket, especially if OSU utilizes some play-action schemes. 

Keeping the ball on the ground will also chew up the clock which would be a positive facing quarterback Sam Hartman and this Fighting Irish team that has proven they can put points on the board. 

This will likely end up being the most pivotal game of the season for Ohio State. Yes, they are scheduled to meet with seventh-ranked Penn State in October, but for that game to mean anything they have to outlast Notre Dame. 

Can this edition of the Buckeyes become the playoff contender that many thought they would be? It's a bit early to know for sure, but Week 4 will give us our best idea yet of what's within reach for Ohio State in 2023.