College football history is in the making as the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff culminates with the eighth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the seventh-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 CFP National Championship.
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Slated for Monday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this showdown features two storied programs that battled adversity throughout the season.
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Paths to the Title Game
Both teams suffered painful regular-season losses, overcame skepticism from fans and media alike, and now stand one win away from being champions.
Ohio State (13-2, 7-2 Big Ten)
Ohio State’s route to the championship was anything but smooth. The Buckeyes carried high expectations entering the season, sporting a roster many deemed the most talented in college football. They appeared unstoppable through most of the fall until a shocking loss to archrival Michigan in the regular-season finale cast doubt on Ryan Day’s regime. The defeat forced Ohio State into the No. 8 seed of the expanded CFP bracket, where the Buckeyes have rattled off three consecutive wins in commanding fashion. (Their other loss was a 1-point defeat to Oregon on the road).
Their opening-round statement arrived via a 42-17 rout of Tennessee, highlighted by a dominant pass rush and stellar play from quarterback Will Howard. In the quarterfinals, Ohio State got a shot at redemption against an Oregon team that had beaten them earlier in the season. The Buckeyes flipped the script in resounding style in the Rose Bowl, piling up 41 points while allowing just 21 against a prolific Ducks offense.
That set the stage for a national semifinal clash with Texas at the Cotton Bowl. Although the Buckeyes’ star freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith was held to just one catch for three yards, their top-ranked defense rose to the occasion in a 28-14 victory. Defensive end Jack Sawyer provided the game’s signature moment, stripping the Longhorns quarterback near the goal line and returning the fumble 83 yards for a score in the final minutes.
Notre Dame (14-1, Independent)
Few teams experienced more of an early roller coaster in 2024-25 than Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish started with a strong win over Texas A&M in Week 1, only to fall to Northern Illinois the following Saturday in one of the season’s biggest upsets. Head coach Marcus Freeman’s squad used that loss as a rallying cry, reeling off 13 straight victories en route to the No. 7 seed in the CFP.
They opened postseason play by toppling in-state rival Indiana, 27-17. Next, they beat No. 2 Georgia, 23-10, thanks to a smothering defense. Their semifinal meeting with Penn State
showcased quarterback Riley Leonard’s dual-threat prowess. Despite dealing with a pair of costly interceptions, Leonard willed the Irish to a 27-24 comeback victory over the Nittany Lions. Now, the Irish seek their first national championship since 1988.
Offensive Efficiencies and Styles of Play
Buckeyes Offense
Ohio State’s offense, coordinated by Chip Kelly, mixes big-play passing with a versatile rushing attack. Senior quarterback Will Howard has been the steadying force under center, completing an impressive 72.6% of his passes for 3,779 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He’s ranked near the top nationally in passer rating (173.7).
While Howard distributes the ball to a deep stable of receivers, true freshman Jeremiah Smith stands out. Smith delivered two multi-touchdown performances in earlier playoff rounds and enters the championship with 71 receptions, 1,227 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Though Texas managed to limit Smith in the Cotton Bowl, the Buckeyes compensated by involving other weapons, including Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson, an electric threat both on the ground and in the screen game, racked up double-digit touchdowns during the season and has a knack for ripping off long gains when teams overcommit to the pass.
Fighting Irish Offense
Notre Dame, under offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, employs a run-first philosophy that relies heavily on an offensive line designed to dominate in the trenches. Though they lost left tackle Anthonie Knapp to injury in the semifinal, they continue to trust their rushing attack led by sophomore Jeremiyah Love (1,121 yards, 7.1 yards per carry, 17 touchdowns) and change-of-pace back Jadarian Price (733 yards). Quarterback Riley Leonard is just as dangerous with his legs, contributing 866 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, turning broken plays into explosive gains.
Through the air, the Irish typically stick to shorter, more efficient throws, which helps them control time of possession. However, this run-heavy identity sometimes makes them less explosive offensively. If Notre Dame wants to keep pace with Ohio State, they may need to dial up more shots downfield to emerging receiver Jaden Greathouse, who had a breakout performance in the semifinal against Penn State.
Injury Storylines and Roster Changes
Both teams enter the finale nursing some injuries in the trenches. Notre Dame left tackle Anthonie Knapp suffered a high ankle sprain against Penn State, forcing backups into action along a critical edge. The Irish defensive front will also be without key tackle Riley Mills, sidelined earlier in the season.
On Ohio State’s side, the offensive line underwent shuffling after losing standout linemen Josh Simmons and Seth McLaughlin for the year, prompting an increased focus on gap runs that simplify blocking assignments. Each team’s “next man up” in the trenches could have a huge say in pass protection and run blocking, especially with two top-tier defenses looming.
Player to Bet On: Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State)
Freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith might be the biggest X-factor in the national title game. Smith has demolished defensive backs all season with his blend of size, speed, and route-running polish well beyond his years. Entering the championship, he has amassed 71 receptions for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging an explosive 17.3 yards per catch.
Though Texas held him to one catch in the semifinal by bracketing him in zone coverages, the two previous playoff games showcased his devastating potential: He tallied seven catches for 187 yards and two scores against Oregon, and six catches for 103 yards and another pair of touchdowns against Tennessee. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly schemes ways to free Smith on vertical routes, deep crossers, and quick-hitting slants—his presence stretches defenses horizontally and vertically, creating space for other playmakers.
If Smith finds an early rhythm against Notre Dame’s man coverage, the Irish may be forced to adjust their defensive approach, weakening either run support or opening extra windows for Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate. Conversely, if the Irish replicate Texas’ blueprint and keep Smith contained, Ohio State must rely on methodical drives and tight end involvement. The entire complexion of the Buckeyes’ offense—and quite possibly the direction of the title—could hinge on how effectively Smith impacts the game.
Two defensive juggernauts and storied programs meet with everything on the line. Notre Dame looks to break a 36-year title drought under their determined head coach Marcus Freeman, who knows Ohio State culture all too well. Ryan Day’s Buckeyes, dethroned in their rivalry game and doubted entering the bracket, have reasserted themselves behind a unified, opportunistic defense and a versatile offense.
Expect a chess match featuring elite talent on both sides—one that may not be decided until the closing minutes in Atlanta. On Monday night, one fabled blueblood will once again claim college football’s ultimate prize.