The back-and-forth between Ryan Day and former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz that started before Ohio State played the Fighting Irish in 2023 continued on Wednesday.
First came a story from the Toledo Blade in which Holtz divulged his thoughts on last year's tiff, where he said the Buckeyes had a problem with the physicality of certain teams and the Fighting Irish's toughness would win them the September matchup. After Ohio State won 17-14 in South Bend, Day fired back, saying "I'd like to know where Lou Holtz is right now" in his postgame interview with NBC.
When asked about that interaction by the Blade, Holtz said he harbors no ill will toward Day.
"Nothing is further from the truth on that. He’s the one who exploded," Holtz said.
But soon after, the 88-year-old took to X with a jab at Ohio State's head man.
If Notre Dame doesnt win, its because we want to preserve Ryan Days job.
— Lou Holtz (@CoachLouHoltz88) January 15, 2025
I was originally going to be at the game in spirit, but now Ill be dragging my body along as well. https://t.co/VF6WOuNzhB
An hour later, Holtz released a five-minute video where he gave his full prediction for the game, picking Notre Dame to win due to its "culture."
"I believe the University of Notre Dame will prevail in this football game," Holtz said. "Not because we have the best football team, but I think we have the best culture. Culture will beat talent each and every time."
Ohio State has the talent, but Notre Dame has the heart, the culture, and the defense to win this game.
— Lou Holtz (@CoachLouHoltz88) January 15, 2025
Stay patient, run the football, and trust the process.
Notre Dame wins a close oneby 3.
Remember, were Notre Dame and they aint! pic.twitter.com/uDKng78jNe
Holtz offered some praise to Day and his staff in the post, but lined the compliment with the insinuation that Ohio State has paid its way to its current place in the College Football Playoff national championship game as one of many teams with large coffers in the NIL era of college football.
"The best football team in the country is Ohio State," Holtz said. "They have a great coaching staff. I think their defense coordinator is outstanding. And Chip Kelly's done a good job with the offense. And Coach Day does not get the credit he should deserve for the tremendous accomplishments he's had. However, they have the highest-paid NIL."
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said in the offseason that the Buckeyes had a roster receiving approximately $20 million in NIL money cumulatively. It's unclear if that figure is the largest in the country, but it’s believed to at least be near the top.
In any case, Holtz sees Notre Dame's run game as the key to victory.
"I think that Ohio State has great quarterback, great receivers," Holtz said. "But if we have them sitting on the bench, they can't do much damage to us. How do we have that happen? We've got to be able to run the football. The old cheer, ‘1st-and-10, do it again,’ has great meaning in this football game. Notre Dame just has to be very, very patient, play their own game, and don't try to impress anybody. Let's just get a 1st-and-10. Next thing you know, you'll be in the fourth quarter, it'll be a very close game."
Asked this week if he's spoken to Holtz since last year's game, Day responded with a quick, sharp "no."
Ohio State and Notre Dame kick off at 7:30 p.m. in the CFP national championship game on Monday, with ESPN set to televise the game. Holtz plans to be in attendance at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
