Editor’s Note: Follow live updates, scores and highlights from the National Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame.
The longest College Football Playoff season in history will be shortened to one game. Notre Dame and Ohio State are the two remaining teams after the third round and will face off in Atlanta to determine the national champion for the 2024 season.
The matchup was surprising considering the Fighting Irish entered the game as the No. 7 seed and the Buckeyes were the No. 8 seed. However, each advanced to the semifinals by defeating the SEC and Big Ten champions, respectively, after convincingly winning their first-round matchups at home. From there, Notre Dame defeated Georgia in the Orange Bowl late, and Ohio State advanced to the final game by defeating Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
These are two of the biggest programs in college football, but both are looking to end long title droughts. The last time the Fighting Irish won a national championship was in the 1988 season. The Buckeyes have not won a championship since winning their first College Football Playoff in 2012.
Create a contrast of styles. While Ohio State has a flashy, high-scoring offense, Notre Dame’s strength lies in its elite defense. Quarterbacks Will Howard of the Buckeyes and Riley Leonard of the Fighting Irish are in their first year with the program and will be hoping to finish their college careers with a title. So who will win? Our experts have their say.
scooby axon
At the beginning of the season, Ohio State was the favorite to win the national championship here. So now that they’ve achieved the title game, there’s no reason to deviate from that prediction and jump on another bandwagon. And since the game is not played on paper, the Buckeyes will have a hard time running the ball, but they will test Notre Dame’s weakest spot, through the air, to bring them the championship. He is expected to play well with a skilled receiving corps. To Columbus. Ohio State 27th, Notre Dame 21st.
Breakdown: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Championship Game Analysis
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jordan mendoza
The matchup to watch will be Notre Dame’s secondary against Jeremiah Smith. Will the man defense work to limit the superstar freshman and guys, or will the Buckeyes make them pay? Unless Notre Dame collapses, this game will likely be a low-scoring affair due to two great defenses. The Fighting Irish were unable to sustain it, and Ohio State became the national champion, securing Ryan Day’s job. Ohio State 23rd, Notre Dame 16th.
paul myerberg
Ohio State has plenty of room for error thanks to its more explosive offense and recent defensive play. Notre Dame can’t afford turnovers and needs to establish things up front to avoid a quarterback-driven game that favors the Buckeyes. However, the Fighting Irish are better able to control the tempo and force Ohio State into more uncomfortable territory. Low-scoring games favor teams that hone their mental edge and win in tense, hard-fought playoff games against Georgia and Penn State. Notre Dame 24, Ohio State 20.
Eric Smith
Notre Dame has the best defense in the county and has a secondary defense to slow down Ohio State’s offense. The question is how long the Fighting Irish can continue to get stops without offensive support. Maybe half? So while all eyes will be on the high-flying Buckeyes, the story of the game will be told by how well quarterback Riley Leonard and Notre Dame are able to hold onto the ball and put points on the board. If successful, the game will advance to the fourth quarter and have a dramatic conclusion. If not, it’s party time in Columbus. Ohio State 30th, Notre Dame 16th.
Eddie Timanas
Both defenses are tough and minimize big plays. But the biggest difference between the two teams is the fact that Ohio State has more weapons, namely the running back tandem of Treveyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins and a wide receiver group led by freshman Jeremiah Smith. It is. Eventually one of them will make a breakthrough and score a game-changing score. If the turnovers are delayed, the Buckeyes will win again. Ohio State 27th, Notre Dame 17th.
Dan Wolken
Even though Notre Dame could have taken this game into the fourth quarter, I believe the Texas win was a crucible moment for the Buckeyes on the road to the championship. They passed the Longhorns’ test and now they get an Irish team that is physically battered by playoff intensity and doesn’t have enough offensive talent to break through a very good Ohio State defense. I decided to do it. Although they competed until the first half, they suffered a crushing defeat in the third quarter. Ohio State 33, Notre Dame 10.