The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff is set to crown a champion, with No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State battling for the title on January 20 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Both teams have a chance to end championship droughts, with Notre Dame seeking its first title since 1988 and Ohio State aiming to secure its second CFP title, their last being in 2014. Coaches Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame) and Ryan Day (Ohio State) will look to make history, adding personal stakes to the matchup.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1)
What we learned in the semifinal:
Notre Dame’s defining traits—resilience, situational awareness, and execution—have been critical to their playoff success. Overcoming injuries and deficits, the Irish excelled in the “middle eight” minutes and dominated third downs in their semifinal win over Penn State. With contributions from key players like QB Riley Leonard, RB Jeremiyah Love, and LB Jack Kiser, as well as backups like QB Steve Angeli and WR Jaden Greathouse, Notre Dame has shown they are tough to knock out.
X Factor:
Wide receiver Jaden Greathouse delivered a breakout performance in the semifinal, posting career highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (105), including a game-tying 54-yard touchdown. If Greathouse maintains this momentum, he could become a key weapon for the Irish’s offense.
How Notre Dame wins:
The Irish need contributions across all phases and must continue stretching the field with downfield passing—a strategy that paid dividends against Penn State. Third-down success on both sides of the ball and avoiding a negative turnover margin will be crucial in overcoming their talent gap against Ohio State.
Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2)
What we learned in the semifinal:
Ohio State’s defense proved its championship pedigree, with senior DE Jack Sawyer sealing the Cotton Bowl win over Texas with a game-clinching scoop-and-score fumble recovery. Though the Buckeyes struggled offensively against Texas, their defensive resilience, led by players like Sawyer and safety Lathan Ransom, has been a hallmark of their playoff run.
X Factor:
Safety Lathan Ransom made a critical second-and-goal tackle in the semifinal, setting up Sawyer’s pivotal play. While All-American Caleb Downs is the defensive star, veterans like Ransom give Ohio State depth and playmaking ability throughout its defense.
How Ohio State wins:
To succeed, Ohio State must involve their star freshman WR Jeremiah Smith, who Texas effectively neutralized. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must design creative plays to ensure Smith gets the ball, regardless of Notre Dame’s defensive schemes. A balanced offense combined with their standout defense could secure the title for the Buckeyes.
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Key Details:
- Game: CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T
- Matchup: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 8 Ohio State
- Date/Time: January 20, 7:30 PM ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Broadcast: ESPN
