The No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes enter as 17-point favorites against the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in one of college football's premier Week 1 matchups. Here's why the Buckeyes could cover this substantial spread:

Quarterback Advantage

• C.J. Stroud is a top-3 Heisman candidate leading Ohio State's offense
• Notre Dame's QBs are all sophomores or younger with limited experience
• The Buckeyes' passing game gives them a clear edge at the position

Home Field Edge

• Game will be played at Ohio State's home stadium in Columbus
• Buckeyes lost just one home game last season (to Oregon)
• Notre Dame rarely plays true road games against elite opponents
• Inexperienced Irish QBs will face hostile crowd noise

Motivation Factor

• Dominant wins over top-5 teams carry extra weight for playoffs
• Ohio State needs style points for College Football Playoff committee
• Statement win could set tone for championship-caliber season
• Buckeyes motivated to play complete game for all four quarters

While 17 points is a significant spread between two top-5 teams, Ohio State's advantages at quarterback, home field edge, and motivation to make a statement give them a strong chance to cover.

The Buckeyes' explosive offense led by Heisman contender C.J. Stroud, combined with Notre Dame's inexperience at quarterback in a hostile environment, creates favorable conditions for Ohio State to win convincingly and justify their #2 ranking early in the season.

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