The Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1) square off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
How to Watch #6 Ohio State vs #5 Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship:
- Date: Monday, January 20, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN (4K), ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes
- Stream: Fubo
The Buckeyes didn’t just waltz into Atlanta; they kicked the door down. Ohio State blazed through the competition, knocking off the Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks, and Texas Longhorns. Not bad for a team that stumbled against Michigan in the regular season finale, right?
Let’s rewind. After a heartbreaking loss to their arch-rival Wolverines, the Buckeyes had two choices: sulk or soar. They chose the latter. Against Tennessee, they flexed their muscles in a 42-17 win. But the real statement came in the Rose Bowl rematch with No. 1 Oregon. Earlier in the season, the Ducks eked out a 32-31 thriller in Eugene, but the Buckeyes turned the tables this time. They stormed to a 34-0 lead, eventually winning 41-21 and proving they had more than just revenge on their minds.
And let’s not forget their semifinal showdown at the Cotton Bowl. Texas had a chance to tie the game late, but linebacker Jack Sawyer said, “Not on my watch!” His 83-yard fumble return sealed the deal, sending Ohio State to Atlanta with a 35-21 win.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish took the No. 7 seed and said, “Why not us?” Notre Dame hasn’t just been winning—they’ve been humbling opponents. Their journey began with a 27-17 victory over Indiana, a more lopsided game than the final score suggests. By halftime, it was practically nap time for Irish fans as their team led 27-3.
Next, Notre Dame silenced the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs with a 23-10 clinic in the Sugar Bowl. Then came a nail-biter in the Orange Bowl against Penn State, where the Irish eked out a 27-24 victory thanks to some clutch late-game defense.
Tale of the Tape: Offense vs. Defense
Let’s talk numbers. Notre Dame’s offense is all about ground-and-pound, averaging a hefty 225.8 rushing yards per game while putting up 37.7 points. Their defense isn’t too shabby, allowing just 319.6 total yards and 13.6 points per game.
Ohio State? They’re a well-oiled machine. The Buckeyes average 428.3 total yards and 35.8 points per game. But their defense is their crown jewel, ranking No. 1 in the nation. They’ve given up just 251.1 total yards and 12.2 points per game, locking down both the run (89.9 yards allowed per game) and the pass (161.1 yards).
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