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.