#8 OHIO STATE VS. #7 NOTRE DAME

4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ESPN]

Well, we’re here. We’re finally here! Instead of it taking two games or waiting a full month with bowls to watch prior, it took 10 playoff games to finally watch the National Championship game. I’m not sure what y’all think, but this was a great journey in the first annual expanded playoffs. Yes, the first seven of eight games were mostly blowouts, but that’s the expanded playoffs for you. You can try changing my mind, but the NFL comparison, so debate if you dare.

Notre Dame and Ohio State had similar paths to the playoffs and national championship. They were determined, resilient, and tough. They went through trials and tribulations and overcame adversity during the season. While Notre Dame was nearly written off after a major home upset against Northern Illinois, Ohio State was questioned (after the Oregon loss) and heavily criticized (after the Michigan loss). Riley Leonard and Will Howard went through their own trials and overcame painful and gut-wrenching adversity. Marcus Freeman and Ryan Day also came under fire against their fan base and had to put on earmuffs to muffle the noise. By the end of their semifinals, they both came out more resilient than ever before with a chance to win and hoist the National Championship trophy.

NOTRE DAME’S PATH

The Fighting Irish put their Northern Illinois loss behind and cleared their schedule with little to no problem. It was expected that they were a physical team, and every possession was a grind for opponents to deal with. Defense was the undeniable strength commanded by head coach Marcus Freeman. However, where was the offensive production coming from outside of the run game? As good as Riley Leonard is, the passing game wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows (even with a pot of gold). But when they have to have it, the ball starts and ends with #13, And this guy sucks for it! (In a good way. If you haven’t seen Leonard’s story on that quote, check it out on YouTube). He’s proven when the team’s gotta have it, he’ll do whatever it takes win it. What he did against Georgia and Penn State in game-time situations is impressive, and the team will be fully behind him to try putting the gold helmet alongside the gold National Championship trophy.

OHIO STATE’S PATH

Ohio State’s 2024 expectations were above the stratosphere. They spent $20 million on players for a potential National Championship run. Yet, the two losses raised more questions than answers for the program, including if the $20 million was money well spent. Coming into the playoffs as the last playoff host was also a bit farfetched, but they earned their way in and had much of a chance as the other 11 teams. That number eight team played like the number one team from the get-go. They put Tennessee on ice in The Shoe and roasted Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Once they arrived in Texas’s territory, many expected the Buckeyes to waver in “The Eyes of Texas”. That didn’t stop Ohio State from imposing their will no matter how far or close the game was. When it looked like Quinn Ewers brought Texas back into winning position, Captain Jack Sawyer came up clutch with a late-game Scoop-N-Score to send the Buckeyes to Atlanta. For Ohio State to claim themselves as THE FIRST 12-Team National Champion, Will Howard must carry the team to the finish line.

THE MATCHUP

Ryan Day’s 2-0 against Marcus Freeman all-time. The last two meetings were pretty tough and physical, but last season’s meeting was especially brutal. Each possession was physical, controlling the line of scrimmage was a priority, and big plays impacted the game. However, if it wasn’t for the Irish defense fielding only 10 men on the very last play in a goal line stand, they would’ve won and had a playoff opportunity last year.

This year could be different. However, this is the third straight season where both teams field a new quarterback (Tyler Buchner/CJ Stroud in 2022, Sam Hartman/Kyle McCord in 2023). The Riley Leonard/Will Howard matchup is the most intriguing matchup of the season after both transferred. They’re the important keys to their teams’ success and it likely comes down to Leonard and Howard in the fourth quarter if the game is close. Outside of quarterback play, both teams have a strong run game, controls the line of scrimmage, plays well on defense by bringing pressure and attacking the run to force their opponents’ hand in the passing game. Just like the two previous games, the line of scrimmage determines who likely wins the National Championship.

Notre Dame and Ohio State are familiar and some players from last year’s matchup know each other very well. Ohio State beat playoff teams with the Michigan flag pissed off at the entire world while Notre Dame played resilient football while showing their dominance in the trenches. This is the toughest draw figuring out who has leverage while being similar in style. However, Ohio State’s playing with anger, motivation, and optimism. They proved that they’re the better team from the jump since the first round. Most importantly, Ohio State’s defensive coordinator Jim Knowles looks like the best assistant coach that no one’s praising more about. Notre Dame had a good run, but key injuries and lack of offensive weapon productivity on the outside likely hurt the Irish’s National Championship opportunity.

MY PICK: OHIO STATE