Fiesta Bowl 2016: Final Odds and Prediction for Notre Dame vs. Ohio State

Notre Dame and Ohio State are playing in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl on Friday, January 1 at 1 p.m. ET at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Buckeyes won the last meeting in 2006, defeating the Fighting Irish 34-20.

Ohio State is the favorite to win the Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes beat Michigan last week. Notre Dame's two defeats this year came by a combined four points. They lost the last two Fiesta Bouts under Charlie Weis. They also lost in the Sugar Bowl under Wees. Their biggest win of the year was against Navy. Alabama outclassed them in 2013 BCS national championship. It's a big game for the Buckeye team. If they show up, they are going to beat the Fighting Irish.

DeShone Kizer graduated from Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio. C.J. Prosise's absence from the game against Stanford hurt the team's chances. Ohio State's defense is better than Notre Dame's. The Buckeyes are ranked 17th in S&P+ rush defense rating. The team is 71st in power success rate. They are also ranked 71nd in rushing success percentage. Their defense allows 127.3 rushing yards a game compared to 166.5 for the Irish.

Ohio State will beat Notre Dame 30-20 in the Fiesta Bowl.