Let’s cut the pregame montage music. Ohio State vs Notre Dame isn’t just a football game—it’s a Midwestern soap opera with shoulder pads. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve spilled nacho cheese yelling at the TV during these matchups. (Pro tip: Never wear white during an Ohio State vs Notre Dame watch party. Trust me.)
The History: Cold Nights, Hot Tempers, and One Raccoon
1935: The Game That Started It All
Picture this: November 2nd, 1935. Cleveland. Freezing rain. Two teams slogging through mud like toddlers in a sandbox. Final score? Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 2. Yeah, you read that right—seven to two. My grandpa swore he was there, but he also claimed he invented the forward pass, so…
Key takeaways from the OG Ohio State vs Notre Dame showdown:
- The only touchdown came from a fumble recovery. Glamorous? No. Effective? Absolutely.
- Rumor has it a raccoon ran onto the field mid-game. No one knows why. Classic Midwest.
The ’90s: Neon Jerseys and Bigger Egos
Fast forward to 1995. Eddie George, Ohio State’s human bulldozer, rushed for 207 yards. Notre Dame’s defense? Let’s just say they looked like my high school prom date—dazed and confused. Final score: 45-26 Buckeyes.
Fun fact: That game single-handedly spiked sales of frosted tips in Columbus.
Memorable Games: Where Legends (and My Sanity) Were Lost
2022: The Game That Broke My Voice
Last year’s Ohio State vs Notre Dame clash? Pure chaos. Buckeyes won 21-10, but how? Let me set the scene:
- Mid-3rd quarter: Notre Dame’s defense held Ohio State to 10 points. My group chat exploded. (“Are we watching a soccer match?!”)
- 4th quarter: C.J. Stroud throws a TD pass so pretty, I almost forgave him for wrecking my fantasy league. Almost.
Rain. Sweat. A screaming toddler next door. That’s how I watched the 2022 Ohio State vs Notre Dame game.
Key Players: Heroes, Villains, and That One Guy Who Forgot His Cleats
Coaches Who’d Bench Their Own Grandma
- Woody Hayes (Ohio State): Legend says he once tackled a referee. I’d believe it.
- Knute Rockne (Notre Dame): Invented the “Win One for the Gipper” speech. Also, probably the first coach to side-eye a player’s haircut.
Players Who Made Us Care Too Much
- Archie Griffin (Ohio State): Only two-time Heisman winner. My dad still cries talking about his ’75 season.
- Brady Quinn (Notre Dame): Threw a pick-six in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. My Notre Dame fan friend Tina hasn’t recovered. (“We don’t talk about Brady,” she says. We do.)
Strategy: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Blitz
Offense: Speed vs. Spite
- Ohio State: Spread offense so fast, it’s basically a TikTok trend.
- Notre Dame: Ground-and-pound like your uncle at a BBQ. (“Throw the dang ball!” – My aunt Cheryl, every Thanksgiving.)
Defense: Controlled Chaos
Remember that time Ohio State’s defense sacked Notre Dame’s QB three times in a row? Yeah, me neither—because I blacked out from yelling.
Recruiting: The Silent War Behind the Scenes
The Battle for Jimmy from Toledo
Ohio State vs Notre Dame isn’t just played on the field. It’s fought in living rooms where 17-year-olds pick hats off tables.
- 2024 5-Star QB: Chose Ohio State because “the pancakes at Buckeye Diner slap.” Real quote? Maybe.
- Notre Dame’s Secret Weapon: Campus tour guides who whisper, “Touchdown Jesus sees your potential.”
My cousin’s kid picked Notre Dame over Ohio State last year. We don’t do Christmas anymore.
The Future: Tailgates, Tears, and Probably More Raccoons
2023 & 2024: Mark Your Calendars (And Hide Your Alcohol)
Next two Ohio State vs Notre Dame games? Buckle up. With playoff implications and NIL deals, it’s gonna be messier than my attempt at homemade nacho cheese.
Will It Go Annual?
Rumor has it ESPN wants to make Ohio State vs Notre Dame a yearly thing. Local ERs: “Please no.”
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Wrapping Up: Why This Rivalry Matters
Ohio State vs Notre Dame isn’t about stats. It’s about my dad’s 1988 Honda Accord (stickers on the bumper, rust on the doors). It’s about Tina’s irrational Brady Quinn grudge. It’s about raccoons, rogue nachos, and remembering why we care too much about a dang game.
Anyway, here’s the kicker: When these teams meet again, I’ll be there. In a stained sweatshirt. Yelling. Because that’s what Ohio State vs Notre Dame does to a person.
