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The stage is set for the National Championship as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes face off Monday, January 20, at 7:30 PM ET in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This marks the third consecutive year these storied programs collide, but this time, the winner will be crowned champion. Both teams have overcome adversity en route to the title game, but only one can prove the most resilient.
Will Marcus Freeman finally defeat his alma mater, or will the Buckeyes claim their first title in a decade, proving overwhelming talent is enough in the new era of the CFP?
People forget that these teams met in the regular season in 2022 and 2023. In Columbus in 2022, now Houston Texas quarterback CJ Stroud led the Buckeyes to a 21-10 victory, tossing 2 touchdowns, including a late score to put the game away. In 2023, Ohio State won the most dramatic finish of the year, running in a touchdown in South Bend as time expired. The Fighting Irish carry the sting of that stunning loss on their turf into Monday night’s championship game. Still, both rosters and strategies have evolved since the previous meeting.
While Ohio State owns the most talented roster in the sport, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman knows how to close the talent gap with player development, a methodical offense and a stingy defense. Ohio State’s Ryan Day is seeking redemption after a turbulent regular season, highlighted by a stunning loss to Michigan. Both teams are led by transfer quarterbacks – Will Howard for Ohio State and Riley Leonard for Notre Dame – adding a layer of excitement as each team showcases something new in this series.
Howard has been exceptional in the College Football Playoff, throwing for 289+ yards in each game and boasting 6 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions. On the other side, Leonard’s dual-threat abilities (19 passing touchdowns, 16 rushing) have been a nightmare for defenses all year. His knack for extending plays will be key against an Ohio State pass rush led by Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, who have combined for 20.5 sacks this season.
Ohio State’s defense has been a cornerstone of its playoff run, leading the nation in points allowed per game (12.0) and red zone efficiency. In their semifinal win over Texas, the Buckeyes’ defensive line dominated, highlighted by Sawyer’s fourth-quarter strip sack and touchdown return of 87 yards to keep the game from a potential 21-21 tie and extend the lead to 28-14, which would go on to be the final tally. While inexperienced coming into the year, Notre Dame’s offensive line has been a strength all season, and their ability to protect Leonard could help make this game tightly contested.
The Irish will rely heavily on running back Jeremiyah Love, who has been battling a knee injury but remains threatening, as he discarded multiple Penn State defenders on an incredible second-effort touchdown run in the second half of their semifinal game. Love averaged 7.1 yards per carry this season and will need to exploit an Ohio State defense that he exploited for 60 yards on 8 carries when these teams met in 2023.
On the flip side, the Buckeyes’ TreVeyon Henderson has a history of success against Notre Dame, amassing 195 rushing yards across their last 2 meetings. His performance will be a focal point, especially with the Irish secondary excelling in limiting big plays.
Both defenses rank among the best in the nation, with Ohio State boasting the top spot in expected points added (EPA) per snap against and Notre Dame close behind.
The Irish secondary, led by standout playmakers, has consistently neutralized top receivers. In the semifinals, Texas stymied Ohio State’s freshman sensation, Jeremiah Smith, holding him to just 1 catch for 3 yards. Notre Dame will aim to replicate that success while also containing Emeka Egbuka, who has tormented the Irish in past meetings for 185 yards and a touchdown on 16 catches.
Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Al Golden has relied on aggressive blitz packages, trusting his secondary in one-on-one coverage. This high-risk, high-reward strategy has paid dividends, but it remains to be seen if it can hold up against Ohio State’s versatile offensive attack.
While Ohio State’s offense has thrived on explosive plays, Notre Dame’s methodical approach has kept games close against elite competition. The Irish are no strangers to adversity, having won 13 straight since a shocking Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois. Their resilience was on full display in a nail-biting semifinal victory over Penn State, where they overcame injuries and a late 24-17 deficit.
Ohio State enters as the favorite, buoyed by their CFP dominance. The Buckeyes have outscored their three playoff opponents by a combined 111-52, displaying their ability to adapt and excel in different game scripts. However, Notre Dame’s ability to force turnovers (an FBS-leading 32 takeaways) could be the X-factor in a game where every possession matters.
This matchup features the two best defenses in college football and two offenses with very different molds. Expect a physical, low-scoring game where field position and turnovers play a significant role. While the Irish defense will keep it close, the Buckeyes’ depth and red-zone efficiency give them the edge.
The one area we expect the Buckeyes to exploit is the line of scrimmage, as Penn State totaled 204 rushing yards in the semifinals. Therefore, we expect a big game for Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.