Ohio State, Notre Dame Set For National Championship Matchup

The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game pits two of college football’s most storied programs against one another: the Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2) and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1). This clash, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, represents a fitting conclusion to the inaugural 12-team playoff format. Both teams have navigated grueling schedules and playoff battles to reach the pinnacle of the sport, setting up a game brimming with intrigue, tradition, and high stakes.

The Buckeyes are searching for their ninth national championship while the Fighting Irish are searching for their 12th National Championship and first since 1988.

This is the first national championship in the expanded College Football Playoff and the new version of the playoff format reaped the benefits for the other teams with Notre Dame coming in as the #7 seed and Ohio State coming in as the #8 seed.

Ohio State: A Powerhouse Looking for Redemption

Ohio State enters the championship game with a 13–2 record under head coach Ryan Day. Known for their explosive offense and staunch defense, the Buckeyes have shown resilience throughout a challenging season. Despite losses to Michigan and Oregon in the regular season, they secured a playoff berth and triumphed in dominant fashion against Tennessee, Oregon (in a rematch), and Texas by a combined score of 111-52 to punch their ticket to Atlanta.

The offense is led by quarterback Will Howard, who has been a revelation since transferring from Kansas State. Howard’s leadership, combined with his strong arm and ability to make plays on the run, has been instrumental to Ohio State’s success. The former Wildcats quarterback has thrown for 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for seven more touchdowns on the ground. Howard has been extremely good in the playoffs completing 65/88 passes (73.9%) for 919 yards and 6 TDs.

Surrounding him are dynamic playmakers, including star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has tallied 71 receptions, 1,227 yards, and 14 touchdowns this season, and his sidekick counterpart Emeka Egbuka, who has 75 receptions for 947 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Buckeyes also feature a potent backfield duo of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Both of whom are capable of breaking off game-changing runs. The running back tandem has combined for 1,927 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. With former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly calling the plays, the Buckeyes’ offense is one of the most dangerous in the country.

Defensively, Ohio State boasts the top-ranked scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 12.2 points per game. Key players like defensive end Jack Sawyer, linebacker Cody Simon, defensive end JT Tuimoloau, safety Caleb Downs, and interior lineman Tyleik Williams anchor a unit that excels in pressuring quarterbacks and stopping the run. The pass rushing duo of Sawyer and Tuimoloau has combined for 21 sacks and 29 TFLs.

This defense has been a key factor in the Buckeyes’ playoff success, particularly in shutting down Texas’ high-powered offense in the semifinal. In fact, it was Sawyer, who punched the Buckeyes’ ticket to the National Championship with a 83 yard scoop and score late in the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame: A Historic Run Under Marcus Freeman

Notre Dame, led by second-year head coach Marcus Freeman, enters the title game with a 14–1 record. The Fighting Irish have embraced Freeman’s vision of toughness and discipline, rebounding from an early-season upset loss to Northern Illinois with 13 consecutive wins. Their playoff journey included victories over Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion against elite competition.

Quarterback Riley Leonard, a transfer from Duke, has been the engine of Notre Dame’s offense. Leonard combines mobility with precision passing, making him a dual-threat weapon who can exploit defenses in a variety of ways. The former Blue Devil has completed 66% of his passes (247/372) for 2,606 yards and 19 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. On the ground, he has added 866 yards and 16 more touchdowns to account for 3,472 yards and 35 total touchdowns.

In the backfield, Leonard’s trusted ballcarrier is Jeremiyah Love, who has ran for 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns averaging an impressive 7 yards per carry. The Fighting Irish ground attack is one of the best in the entire country averaging 210 yards on the ground

When Leonard has to throw the football, he has three trusted receivers that each have over 30 receptions on the year in Jaden Greathouse (36 catches for 464 yards and 2 TDs), Clemson transfer Beaux Collins (37 catches for 458 yards and 3 TDs), and TE Mitchell Evans (39 catches for 369 yards and 3 TDs)

Defensively, the Fighting Irish are ranked second nationally in points allowed, trailing only Ohio State. Their opportunistic defense leads the nation in forced turnovers, a testament to their aggressive yet disciplined approach. Leading the way is All-American safety Xavier Watts, who is the captain of this defense with 75 tackles plus a team high six interceptions and eight pass breakups. Meanwhile, CB Leonard Moore has been one of the best freshmen defenders in the country as a Freshman All-American.

Coaching Showdown: Freeman vs. Day

This matchup also features two head coaches with compelling narratives. Marcus Freeman, a former Ohio State linebacker, has the opportunity to lead Notre Dame to its first national championship in the playoff era and its first overall since 1988. His rapid rise as a head coach has been remarkable, and his leadership has instilled a sense of belief in the Irish program posting a 33-9 overall record in three seasons as the Fighting Irish Head Coach.

Ryan Day, meanwhile, is seeking his first national championship as Ohio State’s head coach. Despite leading the Buckeyes to consistent success winning 87% of his games (69-10) over his career, Day has faced criticism for falling short in previous playoff runs and in rivalry games against Michigan. A win in this game would solidify his legacy and mark a major milestone for the program.

Key Matchups To Watch:

Jeremiah Smith vs. Notre Dame Secondary

Jeremiah Smith is one of the most electrifying players in college football. His ability to stretch the field and make contested catches has been a nightmare for opposing defenses all season. Notre Dame’s secondary, led by standout freshman cornerback Leonard Moore, will face its toughest test of the year. The Irish must find a way to contain Smith without overcommitting resources, as Ohio State’s other weapons can capitalize on single coverage.

Ohio State Defensive Line vs. Notre Dame Offensive Line

The Buckeyes’ defensive line, led by Jack Sawyer, has been dominant in applying pressure on quarterbacks and controlling the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame’s offensive line, though talented, has been dealing with injuries and must be at its best to protect Riley Leonard. The ability of the Irish to keep Leonard upright and open holes for Jeremyiah Love will be critical to their offensive success.

Riley Leonard’s Mobility vs. Ohio State Linebackers

Leonard’s ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his legs adds an extra dimension to Notre Dame’s offense. Ohio State’s linebackers, including Cody Simon will need to stay disciplined in their assignments to prevent Leonard from breaking off big runs or extending plays.

Special Teams Play

In a game of this magnitude, special teams can often be the difference. Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding has been reliable all season, but Notre Dame’s group, led by kicker Mitch Jeter, has the edge in big-game experience, especially after making the game winning field goal in the final seconds against Penn State to send the Fighting Irish to the National Championship. Field position and the ability to convert on field goal opportunities will be crucial.

Keys To Victory:

Ohio State:

  1. Dominate the Trenches: The Buckeyes’ defensive line must overwhelm Notre Dame’s offensive line, forcing Riley Leonard into quick decisions and limiting the Irish’s running game.
  2. Big Plays on Offense: With weapons like Jeremiah Smith and TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State should look to exploit mismatches and create explosive plays.
  3. Limit Turnovers: Notre Dame thrives on forcing turnovers. Ohio State must protect the football to avoid giving the Irish extra opportunities

Notre Dame:

  1. Control the Clock: Establishing the run game with Jeremyiah Love and sustaining long drives will keep Ohio State’s potent offense off the field.
  2. Force Ohio State Into Mistakes: The Irish defense must create pressure on Will Howard and capitalize on any turnover opportunities.
  3. Utilize Leonard’s Mobility: Designed runs and rollouts for Riley Leonard can neutralize Ohio State’s pass rush and create mismatches.

Prediction: A Clash for the Ages

This game has all the ingredients of an instant classic. Both teams are loaded with talent, boast elite defenses, and are led by motivated coaches with legacies on the line. The game is likely to come down to which team can execute better in critical moments.

Ohio State’s depth and explosiveness give them a slight edge, but Notre Dame’s discipline and ability to force turnovers cannot be underestimated. Expect a hard-fought battle that goes down to the wire.

Final Prediction: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 24

In the end, the Buckeyes’ combination of playmakers and defensive prowess might be just enough to secure their first national championship since 2014. However, Notre Dame’s remarkable season and Marcus Freeman’s leadership ensure that the Fighting Irish will leave their mark on this historic game.

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