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Marcus Freeman addresses being double-digit underdog vs. OSU: ‘We’ll use that’
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Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame have a tall task on Saturday, at least according to the odds makers. The Fighting Irish are 17.5-point underdogs for their matchup against Ohio State.
It appears head coach Marcus Freeman might be using that to motivate his team.
Marcus Freeman on Ohio State being favored by 17.5 points: “We’ll use that in the team meeting today. It’s good to know.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 29, 2022
Notre Dame is looking to beat the odds against one of the nation’s best offenses. Ohio State returns Heisman hopeful C.J. Stroud at quarterback and game changer TreVeyon Henderson at running back. Besides the talent, winning in the Horseshoe is never easy.
In the end, Freeman admitted that playing a great team in a hostile environment is something that elite players look forward to.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman on his return to Ohio State:
"I'm pretty emotionless about going back to Ohio State, but we get to play a great team in a great hostile environment… Like any competitor, you get butterflies and excitement to play in a place like that."
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) August 29, 2022
If anyone knows about that environment, it’s Marcus Freeman. Freeman started 37 games at linebacker for the Buckeyes from 2004-2008. He was a two-time Second Team All-B1G selection in 2007 and 2008.
A win by Notre Dame would be a huge barometer for the rest of the season. As independents, a victory over the No. 2 ranked Buckeyes would give them a strong case in the eyes of the College Football Playoff Committee.