Jan. 01--TV/radio: Noon Friday; ESPN, WLS-AM 890, WMVP-AM 1000.
Line: Ohio State by 6.
Records: Ohio State 11-1; Notre Dame 10-2.
Last meeting: Ohio State won 34-20 in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2, 2006 in Tempe, Ariz.
On the offensive: RB C.J. Prosise was limping this week in practice, just his second week back since spraining his left ankle Nov. 21. Freshman Josh Adams has filled in nicely, but the Irish are going to have to throw if they are to have a chance against a stingy Buckeyes defense that allows 127.3 rushing yards per game (22nd in the country).
Getting defensive: A depleted, underachieving secondary could have trouble against RB Ezekiel Elliott. The Irish are 64th nationally in rushing defense and 60th in passing-efficiency defense.
The number: 12. Players on Notre Dame's roster from Ohio, including QB DeShone Kizer.
The talk: Each team spent time in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings but instead will meet in what is probably the best non-playoff bowl matchup. Joey Bosa versus Ronnie Stanley should shift some eyeballs to the lines as the future high draft picks go toe to toe.
Paul Skrbina's pick: Notre Dame might slow Elliott, but when it stops one game-wrecker, it can open the door for another. Ohio State 36, Notre Dame 27.
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