Ohio State and Notre Dame secure thrilling victories to reach the national championship game. The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish will face off in Atlanta for the coveted title.
The stage is set for the college football national championship as the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare to face off in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Both teams overcame early-season adversity and delivered standout playoff performances to reach the pinnacle of college football.
Ohio State’s Journey
Ohio State (10-2 regular season) endured a rollercoaster year, highlighted by dominant victories and two heartbreaking losses.
The Buckeyes fell to eventual CFP No. 1 Oregon, 32-31, on the road and suffered a shocking 13-10 home loss to archrival Michigan, despite being heavy favorites.
The Michigan defeat left Ohio State limping into the College Football Playoff (CFP) as the No. 8 seed, but the Buckeyes quickly rediscovered their form.
- Quarterfinal Victory: Ohio State dismantled Tennessee 42-17, nearly doubling the Volunteers’ total yardage. Quarterback Will Howard threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, both caught by standout freshman Jeremiah Smith.
- Semifinal Redemption: In a Rose Bowl rematch against Oregon, the Buckeyes dominated early, building a 34-0 lead before coasting to a 41-21 win. Smith shone once again with seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns.
- Cotton Bowl Thriller: Against Texas, the Buckeyes sealed a 28-14 win in dramatic fashion. With a slim 21-14 lead late in the fourth quarter, defensive captain Jack Sawyer delivered the play of the year—an 83-yard scoop-and-score off a Quinn Ewers fumble, clinching Ohio State’s spot in the championship game.
Notre Dame’s Comeback Season
Notre Dame’s journey to the title game began with a shocking Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois, a massive underdog, in a 16-14 upset at home.
The Fighting Irish rebounded spectacularly, winning 13 straight games and showcasing a balanced attack ranked sixth in scoring and second in points allowed.
- Quarterfinal Domination: Notre Dame cruised past Indiana 27-17, with Jeremiyah Love’s electrifying 98-yard touchdown run setting the tone. The Fighting Irish controlled the game throughout, allowing two late scores only in garbage time.
- Sugar Bowl Upset: Against Georgia, Notre Dame scored 17 points in just 54 seconds of game time, turning a 3-3 stalemate into a commanding 23-10 victory.
- Orange Bowl Nail-Biter: The Fighting Irish edged Penn State 27-24 in a thrilling contest. Christian Gray’s clutch interception of Drew Allar in the final minute set up Mitch Jeter’s game-winning 41-yard field goal, sending Notre Dame to its first title game since 1988.
The Championship Showdown
Ohio State and Notre Dame will now clash in Atlanta for college football’s biggest prize.
Both teams feature standout stars—Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith has been unstoppable throughout the playoffs, while Notre Dame’s well-balanced approach has carried them through tough matchups.
For the Buckeyes, this is a chance to cap a tumultuous season with a championship. Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish aim to end their 36-year title drought and cement their legacy.
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