As a D coordinator, I love the chess match of preparing for the other teams O. I am gonna share some concepts from what I see and how ND may try control the ball/game...

RL has thrown the ball two less times per game than WH. The theory he doesn't throw is untrue. His rating is 40 points below WH but he will throw the ball.

RL ran it more time than Jeremiah Love. He has ran it twice as many time as WH. RL has more carries than Trevyan Henderson. He is averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

RL runs it on first down more than 2nd.or 3rd.down. on first down he is averaging 5.3 yards per carry, on second down, 5.1 and 3rd 5.2. He has ran it 55 times on 1st down. 

ND TOP is the same as OSU for 2024. But for the last 3 games, it is 32.28 compared to 31.11 for OSU. They are doing more to keep the ball. 

ND 3rd down conversion is again the same as OSU (41.04 to 41.38) for the season. But they have a 50% conversion in the last three compared to Ohio States 38%.

So ND likes.to have Leonard get 5 yards.on first down to control the down and distance. Then the will mix in Love and.or.pass the next.two downs to get.the first down.

The way OSU spied Dillon Gabriel from running out of the pocket was awesome  I would hope we do the same to keep Leonard.from getting 4-5 yard on first down. At 65% passing and not the greatest of receivers, i hope we put them in passing situations.on 2 and 3rd down.

I'll take our DB'S against Leonard throwing and somewhat subpar receivers all day.

That would be my game plan against ND.