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The College Football Playoff National Championship is finally here, pitting two of college football's most iconic programs—Notre Dame and Ohio State—against each other in Atlanta. Both teams have navigated distinct and challenging paths to reach this moment, setting the stage for a thrilling clash. This matchup promises to be a battle of strengths, as elite defenses attempt to neutralize explosive playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Adding even more intrigue to the highly anticipated showdown, former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz has stirred the pot by predicting a three-point Irish victory while taking a jab at Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. Meanwhile, Day has led the Buckeyes through a grueling postseason gauntlet, showcasing their resilience and championship pedigree. With both programs vying for their ninth national championship in the AP poll era, the stakes are as high as they come.
College Football Playoff National Championship Preview: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Notre Dame’s Playoff Path
First Round: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Indiana (27-17)
Notre Dame’s road to Atlanta began at home, where they dismantled a feisty Indiana team. Jeremiyah Love electrified the Irish faithful with a 98-yard touchdown run on the game’s opening drive, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Riley Leonard contributed a passing touchdown and a rushing score, while the defense limited Indiana to just three points until late garbage-time touchdowns.
Quarterfinals: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Georgia (23-10)
In a stunning upset, the Irish outclassed the defending national champions. Notre Dame’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage, holding Georgia to just 3.9 yards per play. Leonard's 80 rushing yards and clutch third-down conversions helped sustain long drives, while Love's ability to break off big runs was instrumental. Marcus Freeman’s squad silenced any doubts about their playoff legitimacy.
Semifinals: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 Penn State (27-24)
The Orange Bowl saw Notre Dame’s most dramatic performance yet. Trailing late, Riley Leonard showcased his clutch gene with key throws, and Mitch Jeter drilled a game-winning 41-yard field goal to cap a gutsy team effort. The Irish forced three Penn State turnovers and held Nicholas Singleton in check, solidifying their ticket to the title game.
Ohio State’s Playoff Path
First Round: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Tennessee (45-20)
Ohio State’s first playoff test was a statement game. Will Howard, the Buckeyes' senior quarterback, torched Tennessee’s defense for 326 passing yards and three touchdowns, while freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith added two scores. The Buckeyes' defense suffocated the Volunteers, forcing three turnovers and holding them to just 5.2 yards per play.
Quarterfinals: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Oregon (38-21)
In a rematch of their only regular-season loss, the Buckeyes left no doubt. TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins combined for 145 rushing yards, while Smith dominated with seven catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. The defense harassed Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, racking up four sacks and sealing a statement win.
Semifinals: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Texas (28-14)
Ohio State's defensive front headlined their Cotton Bowl victory. Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau wreaked havoc on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, sacking him four times and limiting the Longhorns to 287 total yards. Jeremiah Smith’s 67-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter provided the offensive spark, while Will Howard managed the game with efficiency, finishing with 289 passing yards and a touchdown.
Key Storylines
1. Battle of the Trenches
Ohio State’s defensive line, anchored by Jack Sawyer (11.5 sacks) and J.T. Tuimoloau (9 sacks), has dominated throughout the playoffs. Notre Dame’s offensive line, however, enters this game battered, with injuries to key starters. Can Notre Dame’s front five hold up against one of the most fearsome pass rushes in college football?
2. Turnover Creation
Notre Dame leads the nation with 32 takeaways, including four in their last two playoff games. Safety Xavier Watts and linebacker JD Bertrand have been instrumental in forcing mistakes. Ohio State, on the other hand, has been turnover-prone against elite defenses, with Will Howard throwing 10 interceptions this season. This battle could tilt the game.
3. Quarterback Matchup
Riley Leonard, the dual-threat senior for Notre Dame, has carried the Irish with 866 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground to complement his 2,606 passing yards and 19 touchdowns through the air. Ohio State’s Will Howard has been just as effective, throwing for 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns while completing 72.6% of his passes. Leonard’s legs give him an edge in mobility, but Howard’s efficiency in the pocket is unmatched.
4. Freshman Phenomenon
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith has emerged as one of the most dangerous receivers in college football. The freshman has 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, with 290 yards and four scores in the playoffs. Notre Dame’s secondary, led by Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison, will have their hands full trying to contain him.
Matchup Analysis: Notre Dame Offense vs. Ohio State Defense
Notre Dame’s offense revolves around Jeremiyah Love’s explosiveness and Riley Leonard’s ability to extend plays with his legs. Love, who has rushed for 1,121 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, faces a tall task against Ohio State’s defensive front. The Buckeyes’ run defense has been elite, allowing just 3.1 yards per carry in the playoffs. Leonard’s ability to make throws in tight windows will be tested against Ohio State’s ball-hawking secondary, which has 19 interceptions on the season.
Matchup Analysis: Ohio State Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense
Ohio State’s offense is balanced, with Howard distributing the ball to an arsenal of weapons. Jeremiah Smith headlines a receiver corps that includes Emeka Egbuka (967 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Carnell Tate. Notre Dame’s defense has thrived on creating turnovers, with JD Bertrand and Xavier Watts playing key roles in disrupting offenses. The Irish must find a way to generate pressure on Howard without leaving their secondary exposed.
Top NFL Draft Prospects to Watch
Notre Dame:
Riley Leonard (QB): A dynamic dual-threat quarterback with mobility, toughness, and excellent situational awareness.
Xavier Watts (S): A versatile defender with elite ball skills and instincts, pivotal in Notre Dame’s defensive success.
Jack Kiser (LB): A smart, athletic linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range and a knack for making critical plays.
Mitchell Evans (TE): A reliable, physical tight end with excellent size (6'5", 260 lbs) and strong blocking ability, adding a red-zone threat.
Howard Cross III (DI): A disruptive interior lineman with powerful hands and a quick first step, key to Notre Dame's defensive front.
Ohio State:
Jack Sawyer (EDGE): A relentless pass rusher with NFL-ready technique and the ability to set the edge in the run game.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB): A dynamic three-down back with elite vision, acceleration, and home-run potential in open space.
Quinshon Judkins (HB): A powerful and elusive runner with excellent balance and vision, excelling as a workhorse back.
Emeka Egbuka (WR): A polished route runner with excellent hands and a proven ability to make plays in critical moments.
JT Tuimoloau (EDGE): A versatile defender with a strong blend of size, speed, and power, excelling against both the run and pass.
Tyleik Williams (DI): A powerful and explosive interior lineman, capable of collapsing pockets and stopping the run.
Cody Simon (LB): An instinctive linebacker with physicality and leadership, excelling in coverage and against the run.
Donovan Jackson (T): A dominant offensive lineman with excellent technique, footwork, and the ability to anchor in pass protection.
Odds and Prediction
Spread: Ohio State -8.5
Over/Under: 46.5
Ohio State’s defense, led by their ferocious pass rush, is likely to create problems for Notre Dame’s offensive line. The Irish will need Riley Leonard to play the game of his life and their defense to force turnovers to stay competitive. However, Ohio State’s superior depth and balance on both sides of the ball give them the edge.
Implied Final Score: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 16