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How will the national championship go? Two key coaches weigh in on Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

ATLANTA — During the final month of the regular season, one college football team faced more criticism than any other: Indiana.

They played no one!

Their power of schedule stinks!

They shouldn’t even be eligible for the playoff!

Well, it turns out the Hoosiers weren’t so bad after all. Their only two losses of the season came against each of the participants in the national championship game.

“Our two losses come to the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country, where they are in a hostile environment,” IU coach Curt Cignetti said. “I think everyone thought we were a great story until the College Football Playoff rankings came out and then everyone’s self-interest took over and then it became political.”

Speaking in downtown Atlanta, a mile from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the site of Monday night’s title fight between Notre Dame and Ohio State, Cignetti offers perhaps the best scouting report of anyone in the country. He knows both teams, played against both teams and lost to both teams.

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In Columbus, Indiana led the Buckeyes 7-0 before blocking one kick, returning another and ultimately losing 38-15. Against Notre Dame in the first round of the playoffs, the Hoosiers never led, trailing 20-3 at one point and losing 27-17.

Both teams “deserved” to beat the Hoosiers, he said. Indiana didn’t play well enough on special teams at Ohio State and didn’t play aggressive enough at South Bend.

When scouting the matchup, the coach points to the statistics. He’s a data guy.

“Great match. Two great coaches. No. 1 versus No. 2-ranked defenses in the country,” he said. “Notre Dame actually scores more points per game than Ohio State, which would surprise 95% of people, but Notre Dame scores points… they are No. 1 in the country in defensive touchdowns, No. 1 in blocked kicks with six and they are +17 in turnover ratio, which equals points. Notre Dame will need to generate some points outside of their offense.”

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But the one area where he thinks the game will be decided: Ohio State’s passing game against Notre Dame’s famed man-to-man defense.

“I’m curious when Ohio State throws the football, what happens?” Cignetti said.

Will Notre Dame or Ohio State hoist the national title trophy Monday night? (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)

Will Notre Dame or Ohio State hoist the national title trophy Monday night? (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)

The Irish are one of the best units in the country against the pass. And Ohio State has more offensive weapons than any other team. It’s strength on strength.

In fact, opponents have thrown twelve touchdowns against Notre Dame and nineteen interceptions. The opposing QB rating of 99.5 is the best for any pass defense in the country. That includes the opposing QB’s completion percentage (50.7%).

It’s tough sledding against the Irish, who play more man-to-man defense than anyone in the country — and good defense, too.

And yet Thomas Hammock’s team has discovered Notre Dame just enough. The Northern Illinois coach and his Huskies defeated the Irish 16-14 in one of the most stunning upsets of the season.

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How?

“It was early in the season for them and a new QB and a new coordinator were brought in,” Hammock said. “They were trying to figure out how to build their offense and how to operate. They tried to work the passing game a little more. Notre Dame thought it was a great opportunity to get our passing game going against Northern Illinois, but we have a great defense.

Hammock has watched from a distance as the Irish have grown and evolved throughout the season. He sees another team that played the Huskies on September 7.

“It starts with leadership at the top, with the head coach,” Hammock said of Irish coach Marcus Freeman. “He got those guys locked in and focused. They play complementary football in many ways. It was exciting to see them.”

Who is he rooting for?

“I definitely hope Notre Dame wins. I’m a Marcus Freeman fan,” he said.

What about Cignetti? He knows these two teams better than anyone.

“I don’t make predictions,” he deadpanned.

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