Da Prediction ...

... in which the Blob wants to side with the loyal sons of Notre Dame, it really does. Really, really.

This is partly because it admits to a shamefully incurable fondness for all that Rockne/Gipper/Four Horsemen stuff, and also because the Loyal Sons, despite their holier-than-thou snootiness, have gone a long time without being able to say "God made Notre Dame No. 1" (speaking of holier-than-thou snootiness). It's also because I can't root against Marcus Freeman, because who the hell can?

Anyway, I want to pick Notre Dame tonight. I want Freeman to outfox Ryan Day. I want the Irish to play slobber-knocker football, and to push Ohio State around like a grocery cart, and I want Riley Leonard to throw for 250 yards and run for another 100 while Jeremiyah Love goes for 180 and three sixes. 

I want all of that.

Unfortunately, I don't think any of it will happen.

What I think will happen instead is the Buckeyes defense will slow down the Irish more than the Irish will slow down the Buckeyes, and Jeremiah Smith or one of the other Buckeye receivers will find a way to break the big one, and Ohio State will win 31-21 or 27-17, something like that. 

This is not because I think the Irish won't make a big play or two themselves, or that the running game that has been their engine all year will be entirely shut down. Or that the defense, their other engine, won't make life as miserable as it can for Smith and Will Howard and the rest of the scarlet-and-gray.

Possibly relevant fact, if you're rooting for the guys in the gold hats: In the win over Penn State, not a single Nittany Lion wideout caught a pass against the Irish secondary. Not one.

Opposing possible relevant fact: Unlike Penn State, Ohio State has the best wide receiver room in college football. Plus that scary defense.

And so ...

And so, Notre Dame will be brave in the attempt, as ever. But the Buckeyes, who've been tearing it up since losing to Michigan, are just better. And just as determined not to be denied.

Sorry, Domer Nation. If it makes you feel better, you may now summon Fair Catch Corby to climb down from his pedestal and kick me in the ass.

I have it coming, after all.