Notre Dame is preparing for a powerful Ohio State defense in the national championship game

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Quarterback Riley Leonard and the Notre Dame offense faced tough defensive lines on their way to the College Football Playoff title game.

The Fighting Irish rolled through Penn State (No. 7 in total defense), Georgia (No. 30) and Indiana (No. 2). Now, the nation’s No. 1 defense stands on its way back to the top of college football for the first time since 1988.

Notre Dame (14-1) and Ohio State (13-2) meet in Atlanta in the first game of the 12-team national championship.

Ohio State’s defense is ranked No. 1 overall and No. 3 against the run. The Buckeyes outscored playoff opponents Tennessee, Oregon and Texas 111-52 and limited them to 62.3 yards per game (1.9 yards per carry).

It was the Buckeyes’ defense that delivered the dagger in a 28-14 semifinal win against Texas — Jack Sawyer’s 83-yarder as the Longhorns were poised to punt late in the fourth quarter.

Leonard and Notre Dame rely on the run to open up the Fighting Irish offense, and they will face a daunting challenge in the Buckeyes, who started as 9.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

“I like the underdog status,” Leonard said. “I love it, I love it. I love that. There’s nothing that motivates me more than seeing certain things being said or being spread that I’m not really looking at, but it was brought to my attention today. So I like it.”

Leonard expects a strong Ohio State offense.

“I could imagine them playing like Penn State,” Leonard said. “Penn State was a team that played really hard … very physical down the line in the way they attack the quarterback.”

Notre Dame gained 116 yards rushing in its 27-24 win against Penn State, and Leonard had 35 yards.

Against Georgia, Notre Dame only passed for 90 yards, but Leonard broke through for 80 yards rushing. The Fighting Irish had 154 yards on the ground.

Notre Dame averaged 421.3 yards of total offense in the regular season, but against three stout defenses in the playoffs, the Fighting Irish averaged 340.7 yards of total offense.

Notre Dame made big plays when it needed to, and Leonard feels the Fighting Irish offense has been battle-tested.

“Fortunately, we’ve played against a lot of good defenses this year, and a lot of good defensive lines, and Ohio State has a really good one,” Leonard said. “I think after beating Penn State and beating Georgia, we kind of understand, like, you know, we’re up there with anybody.”

Notre Dame receiver Jaden Greathouse, whose juke move against Penn State set up a 54-yard touchdown run that pulled Notre Dame to 24-24 with the Nittany Lions, also likes the underdog role.

“It’s just thinking about the offense, really, I mean, we’ve had it all season,” Greathouse said. “We’ve had that all playoff, and we’re doing well.”

Notre Dame running back Aeneas Williams, who has emerged as a key factor in the playoffs, is also excited about facing Ohio State’s formidable defense.

“I like going against the best competition and that’s what we’re looking forward to,” Williams said. “I want to play my best and be the best against the best.”

Williams looks forward to the challenge and edge of the underdog mentality.

“We’ve been outscored since NIU, so I think that just tells you what it’s done for this team.”