Ohio State’s first big game of the season has arrived, and the Buckeyes look to be hitting their stride at the right time.

The Buckeyes face a big step up in competition this week against Notre Dame, which will serve as this year’s first real test of how good Ohio State actually is. That said, the Buckeyes are entering the game with momentum on their side after looking the part of an elite team in their dominant 63-10 win over Western Kentucky this past weekend.

Ohio State’s offense certainly elevated its game against the Hilltoppers, yet it was the defense who impressed us most as the Silver Bullets held Western Kentucky to only 10 points while scoring 14 points themselves. And while Western Kentucky isn’t nearly as complete of a team as Notre Dame is, we believe the Buckeyes‘ performance against the Hilltoppers showed more than simply taking advantage of an overmatched opponent.

That said, this week’s game will mean going against both a much more complete offense and a much stouter defense than Ohio State faced in any of its first three games. Notre Dame looks more dangerous than it was when it lost 21-10 to Ohio State last year, and the Fighting Irish sound ready to play with a more aggressive mindset than they did in Ohio Stadium a year ago.

Is Ohio State prepared for that challenge, and will the Buckeyes bring a win back from South Bend? We like Ohio State’s chances, but neither of us expects a victory to come easily.

Here’s what we’re talking about on this week’s episode of Real Pod Wednesdays:

• 1:11: Ohio State played its best against what might be the best team it’s played so far
• 2:33: Ohio State’s offensive performance was impressive, but its defensive performance was even better
• 5:16: The Buckeyes found the offensive rhythm they needed with Kyle McCord as starting quarterback
• 9:20: The offensive line and the running game also got going against Western Kentucky
• 11:43: Ohio State had only 60 plays for the second straight week, but that didn’t hold it back this time
• 15:20: The defense showed it could continue to limit big plays against an explosive passing offense
• 16:26: Tyleik Williams is emerging as a star
• 18:23: Ohio State’s defensive ends were far more disruptive against WKU (even without sacks)
• 21:14: Josh Proctor solidifies standing as starting free safety with another strong performance
• 23:09: Denzel Burke is playing like an All-American cornerback
• 26:11: Jordan Hancock struggled early but showed promising improvement vs. Malachi Corley
• 29:01: Tommy Eichenberg, Steele Chambers looking like one of nation’s best linebacker tandems
• 32:23: Allowing only 20 points in three games is impressive no matter who you’ve played
• 33:52: Ohio State is more confident now than it was three weeks ago, but so is Notre Dame
• 40:07: Notre Dame’s offense is far more complete than any Ohio State has faced this season
• 42:49: Kyle McCord faces his first big-game test against a pass defense that’s been stout
• 45:38: We expect both teams’ final scores to be in the twenties and thirties
• 48:45: We‘re both feeling 60% confident that Ohio State will win this game
• 52:56: This may not be a make-or-break game for Ohio State, but it has major CFP implications
• 55:58: While Ohio State looked great in Week 3, most of the other top-ranked teams didn’t
• 58:20: Michael Penix Jr. and Washington look like Heisman and playoff contenders
• 1:00:32: The SEC isn’t looking like the power it usually is
• 1:03:26: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame headlines a great Week 4 in college football