First of all this game will be played on grass with two teams that will want to run the ball before they pass and two defenses that are clearly the strength and give each the best chance to win. I expect LSU to control this game from start to finish with their veteran offensive line and talented running backs. Notre Dame will get a bit more healthy so I could see their defense stepping up to stop the run which fits their strengths far better. Notre Dame should play even better knowing the running game is coming without much of a threat from the passing game. On the flip side Notre Dame's strength is definitely its passing game, but they will face LSU the #1 ranked passing defense from an efficiency perspective. The last time they faced a defense this good was Stanford who they scored only 17 points on at home.
LSU's defense down the stretch was just a lock allowing 3, 10, 13, 17, and 17 points to some pretty good offenses along the way. I could see this game going over if Notre Dame turns the ball over 4+ times, but otherwise I expect a game that neither team runs away with. LSU struggles in the red zone so I don't expect them to have the ability to run away with this as they struggle to score down there, but LSU is very good on defense in the red zone allowing just 48.15% so that usually makes up for it. LSU offenses have been better in years past and have never been able to put up points in bowl games, under 5-1 in their last 6 while Notre Dame is U35-17-1 in their last 53.
