College Football National Championship: The Big Dance

Author: Max McClean

The stage is set for the inaugural 12-team College Football National Championship, featuring the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams secured hard-fought victories in the final minutes of their respective games, capping off impressive runs of three consecutive wins to reach this climactic point.

Notre Dame's path to the national championship was anything but smooth. In early September they fell to Northern Illinois—a team that wrapped up the season 8-5 and ranked seventh in the MAC. The journey was equally tumultuous for Ohio State, highlighted by a stunning Week 14 loss to archrival Michigan. Despite being considered far less talented to the Buckeyes' $20 million roster, the Wolverines delivered a performance that shocked the state of Ohio, calling for Ryan Day to be fired. 

Fast forward to the present, and the stage is set for Notre Dame and Ohio State to clash for the National Championship on Monday night. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will host the inaugural 12-team playoff final, as two storied programs vie for college football’s ultimate prize.

No.8 Ohio State:

That rivalry-week loss to Michigan ignited a fire in the Buckeyes. Since that day in Columbus, Ohio State has been unstoppable, amassing blowout victories over Tennessee, Oregon, and, most recently, Texas. They haven't just won—they've been dominating, defeating their opponents by an average of 19 points. 

Jack Sawyer is the definitive leader of this Buckeyes team. Last week he secured the win over Texas with a strip sack fumble return TD against his former roommate Quinn Ewers. In addition to that play, Sawyer has amassed 10 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 6 passes defended. Sawyer decided to come back for his fourth year at Ohio, and while the first goal of beating Michigan may not have paid off, Sawyer's ability to step up in key moments has been a defining trait of this Buckeye championship run.

Will Howard’s ability to get the ball to his playmakers has been the key to the Buckeyes postseason success. In his three playoff games, Howard has thrown for over 900 yards and 6 touchdowns while completing over 70% of his passes in two of the matchups. The loss to Michigan at the end of the regular season highlighted how crucial getting the ball out was, with just 175 passing yards, a 57.6% completion rate, and two interceptions, the offence stalled, and the team fell short. When Howard is in sync and spreading the ball to his weapons, the team thrives, but when he struggles, the results reflect it.

Those weapons at his disposal, particularly Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka have carried the Buckeyes offense. Smith, the true freshman, has been a breakout star in 2024, hauling in 71 receptions for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns, with a remarkable 17.3 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. Complementing Smith is senior Emeka Egbuka, who chose to come back as opposed to opting for the NFL last season. Egbuka added 947 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns to his already impressive career totals. Together, Smith and Egbuka provide Howard with a stacked arsenal, giving the team serious offensive firepower. 

Ohio State’s offence faces a tough task as it faces Notre Dame, a team that ranks 7th in the nation in yards allowed per game. Marcus Freeman’s defence has been one of the toughest units all season, and the Buckeyes will need to maintain their offensive efficiency to keep their championship hopes alive.

No.7 Notre Dame:

Under Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame has undergone a significant culture shift since Brian Kelly left. Last September’s heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss in South Bend, where a touchdown run snatched victory away, became a turning point for the Fighting Irish. Since that loss in September 2023, they have only lost two games, transforming Notre Dame into a more determined and battle-tested squad, ready to seize this National Championship.

The Notre Dame offence is led by fifth-year quarterback Riley Leonard, who has taken significant strides this season, particularly as a dual-threat QB. In the Sugar Bowl, Leonard’s versatility was on display as he rushed for 80 yards. That being said, his rushing prowess was completely stifled against Penn State, where he managed just 35 yards on a season-high 18 carries. Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer could very well replicate the disruptive impact that Abdul Carter had in containing Leonard. 

Notre Dame’s offence has relied heavily on Jeremiah Love's breakout season. In 2024, Love has rushed for 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging an explosive 7.1 yards per carry. Love was reported to be battling a knee injury before the Penn State game but was able to go. Some concerns still linger about his effectiveness heading into the matchup against Ohio State, but I expect Love to be firing on all cylinders ahead of the Natty.

Ohio State and Notre Dame boast two of the best defences in the nation, ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively. Ohio State allows just 12.2 points per game, with Jack Sawyer leading a fierce pass rush. Notre Dame, ranked 2nd with 14.3 points allowed per game, has a solid defence but lacks a standout star like Sawyer with their closest thing being corner Benjamin Morrison. The Irish will need someone to step up and play above expectations if they look to slow down Ohio State's run-and-gun offence.

Pick ‘Em:

Ohio State enters an 8.5-point favourite and it's easy to see why. With a dominant defence led by Jack Sawyer and a high-powered offence featuring Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith, and Emeka Egbuka, the Buckeyes have the complete package to capture the title. While Notre Dame's defence ranks 2nd overall, Riley Leonard offers dual-threat ability The Buckeyes' relentless pressure and offensive depth should prove too much for the Fighting Irish. Ohio State's loss to Michigan woke something up in them, and they seem primed to seize the title.

Ohio State Wins, 27-20

Early Leading Candidates for the 2024-2025 NBA Season Awards

By: Mark Luo

Stats taken up to date as of December 19th 2024

As we near the midpoint of the NBA season, there has already been a ton of action in the league, with standout performances, rising stars, and plenty of surprise performances. This raises the question: which players have set themselves apart from the rest so far? While it's still very early, clear frontrunners are already emerging for the league’s major awards. Here's a breakdown of the leading candidates, their performances, and what sets them apart from the field.

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Nikola Jokić

Source: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Coming into the season, we all knew that Nikola Jokić was going to be in the MVP conversation. However, many speculated that voter fatigue would prevent him from reclaiming the award unless he produces an undeniable, all-time great performance this season. That’s exactly what he’s delivered so far.

Somehow, in some way, the Joker can level up his game even further every season. He is essentially averaging a 30-point triple-double with 30.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game while shooting an absurd 55.8% from the field and 48.9% from three. The numbers speak for themselves, but what’s more impressive is how he’s single-handedly keeping the Denver Nuggets afloat. With much of his supporting cast underperforming, Jokić’s ability to control the offense, grab rebounds, and hit clutch shots has carried Denver to key wins. If he wins his fourth MVP award this season, he will join a generational group including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Lebron James, cementing himself as one of the all-time NBA greats.

Honorable Mention(s):

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): After a 2-8 start to the season from the Bucks, Giannis has dragged them to a winning record, as they continue to climb the standings in the East. He is currently leading the league in scoring with around 33 PPG and is still a monster on the defensive end. Being the MVP of the NBA Cup is helping his case, but that still does not detract from the fact that the Bucks are still not off to an ideal start to this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder): Shai continues to cement his place in the league as a superstar, putting up over 30 points per game while leading the #1-seeded Thunder in the West. His offensive output and his leadership have been great so far, but Jokić's historic production gives him the edge for now.

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Victor Wembanyama

Source: Thearon W. Henderson. Getty Images.

In just his second year, Victor Wembanyama has already established himself as one of the most dominant defensive forces in the league. The 7’4” star leads the NBA with 3.5 blocks per game. Wemby is a perfect blend of size, athleticism, and defensive instinct. His skills and impact on the defensive end go beyond the box score. His height, absurd wingspan, and mobility allow him to guard both the rim and the perimeter effectively, making him the definition of a versatile defender. The Spurs' defensive on/off metrics significantly improve when Wembanyama is on the court. The Spurs with Wemby has had a 113.8 defensive rating so far this season, but in games that he has missed, the team’s rating drops to an abysmal 118.9 defensive rating, which puts them near dead last in the league.

Honorable Mention(s):

Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers): Mobley anchors the Cavaliers' defense, which currently ranks among the league’s best. He is also among the league leaders in defense metrics so far this season, and his presence is felt whenever he’s on the court. This in combination with the Cavs’ early success makes him another strong contender in the DPOY race so far.

Rookie of the Year (ROTY): Stephon Castle

Source: NBA.com

Despite an underwhelming rookie class this year, the Rookie of the Year race so far has been very interesting. Currently, Stephon Castle from the Spurs is the front-runner for the award, as he has shown flashes of brilliance with around 11.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. He has also shown to be a strong defender, with good defensive instincts and the ability to make plays in key moments down the stretch, which has helped keep the Spurs somewhat competitive throughout the season so far. While his shooting splits are less efficient, he has strong upside on the offensive end and has the potential to be a great player. There is still a lot of room for him to grow as a player for the rest of the season to come.

Honorable Mention(s):

Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers): Taken 16th overall in the draft, McCain has far exceeded expectations, averaging 15.3 points per game on impressive 46/38/87 shooting splits in just 26 minutes per game. His production has stood out among the rest of his draft class. Unfortunately, McCain’s recent torn meniscus has put him out indefinitely, which hurts his candidacy for the award.

Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers): Knecht brought his name into the race during his amazing stretch in the second half of November, where he averaged just under 19 PPG while playing over 31 minutes per game, stepping up in the absence of Rui Hachimura. His production has dropped off a bit since then, as he is now averaging around 10.8 points, but he has already established himself as a valuable piece for the Lakers’ rotation thus far already.

Most Improved Player (MIP): Jalen Williams

Source: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The OKC Thunder have faced a lot of injuries this year. With many players out since the start of the season, the Thunder needed someone to step up, and Jalen Williams has done just that. JDub’s numbers have gotten better and better each season, improving in virtually every statistical category. He is putting up career numbers this season with around 22/6/5 on a very efficient 50% FG and 38% from 3. Williams has also been very strong on the defensive end, ranking third in the league in steals per game. He is a huge contributing factor as to why the Thunder have the best record in the Western Conference. If Williams can maintain his production and stay healthy, he has a very strong case to take the award this year.

Honorable Mention(s):

Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic): Wagner’s breakout season has been a tremendous factor in the Orlando Magic’s strong start. The 23-year-old small forward has increased his scoring to 24.4 points per game, a jump of about 5 points from last year, while still maintaining great shooting efficiency. Wagner’s playmaking has taken a leap, as his assist numbers have gone up, and his on-court decision-making has improved from the eye test as well. Unfortunately, he was sidelined recently with a torn oblique, and like McCain’s case, hurts his candidacy going forward.

Sixth Man of the Year (6MOY): Payton Pritchard

Source: AP Photo/Steven Senne

Payton Pritchard has emerged as a key spark off the bench for the Boston Celtics. He’s averaging 16.5 points per game while shooting a very efficient 48/43/84. He isn’t just getting it done as a sixth man, he is one of the best volume three-point shooters this season. His 43% from three is the highest amongst players who have attempted over 200 threes. His sharpshooting and energy make him a frontrunner for 6MOY, and potentially even for MIP. This leap in production is even more remarkable considering that just two years ago, he was seeking a trade for a larger role.

Honorable Mention(s):

Amen Thompson has been essential to the Rocket’s strong defensive season. He has been one of the strong anchors of a top 5 defensive team so far this year. His athleticism and physicality give him the skills to stay in front of elite offensive players. Although his shot is still lacking, he has also slowly improved on the offensive end, making great cuts toward the basket and creating strong options for his teammates once they get into the paint.

Coach of the Year (COTY): Kenny Atkinson

Source: NBA.com

Kenny Atkinson has revitalized the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading them to a #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the best record in the NBA so far. The Cavs are still a strong defensive team like last season, boasting a 112.1 defensive rating, but their biggest improvement has come from their offense, where they currently hold the best offensive rating in the league with 121.3. Since winning NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November, he has been widely praised for bringing the best out of the talented players in the team and building strong chemistry.

Honorable Mention(s):

Ime Udoka (Houston Rockets): Udoka has coached the team to a complete turnaround in Houston. The Rockets currently hold a 17-9 record and sit 3rd in the Western Conference, which is a massive improvement from the .500 record they had last year. Udoka’s emphasis on defense and discipline has turned the Rockets into serious playoff contenders.