After a thrilling and unpredictable college football season, the stage is finally set for the biggest game of the year. On Monday night, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will battle for the national championship in a clash of college football royalty. For Ohio State, it’s a chance to cement their status as the premier program of the CFP era and capture that elusive title. Notre Dame is on the precipice of immortality, one win away from their first championship in over three decades.
Redemption and Dynasty Dreams for the Buckeyes
Ryan Day has accomplished nearly everything in his Ohio State tenure except winning it all. Three top-five finishes, a staggering .900 win percentage – yet the specter of those Michigan losses lingers. But this playoff run has been a renaissance for Day and the Buckeyes, an opportunity to rewrite the narrative. Quarterback Will Howard has blossomed into a star, the receiving corps is electric, and Jim Knowles’ defense has been historically dominant. One more superlative performance puts Day in rare company with Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel.
Notre Dame’s Date with Destiny
Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish have already slain giants in Georgia and Penn State. Now they have one more mountain to climb. This Notre Dame squad is a throwback – punishing defense, timely playmaking, and an unshakable belief. Quarterback Riley Leonard is the quintessential field general, a physical run threat who thrives in the game’s biggest moments. The Irish have stared down adversity all year, from early stumbles to devastating injuries. A victory in Atlanta would be the ultimate culmination of their resilience.
Key Questions and Matchups
- Can Notre Dame score enough? The Irish offense must maximize every opportunity against Ohio State’s suffocating defense. Converting third downs, winning field position, and scoring touchdowns in the red zone are crucial.
- Will Ohio State’s stars shine brightest? The Buckeyes’ Jeremiah Smith and TreVeyon Henderson are game-breakers. If the Irish can’t contain them, it could be a long night.
I just don’t see how Notre Dame scores enough.
– Anonymous coach previewing the matchup
The chess match between Al Golden and Chip Kelly will be fascinating. Kelly has shown adaptability, but will he go back to his devastating 12 personnel packages? Golden must decide whether to stay aggressive with man coverage or play it safer. The outcome likely hinges on which coach best exploits the opposition’s tendencies.
Projections and Prediction
The metrics favor Ohio State as touchdown-plus favorites. SP+ projects a 27-21 Buckeye victory in a game that hits the over. But Notre Dame has made a living off defying expectations. If the Irish can ugly it up, force turnovers, and convert in key moments, an 18-13 type win isn’t unrealistic. Ultimately though, Ohio State’s firepower and defensive dominance should prove too much over four quarters. The Buckeyes are simply the more talented team, and that talent advantage will be the difference. Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 20.
