Notre Dame and Ohio State are set to compete in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Marcus Freeman’s 14-1 Fighting Irish will face Ryan Day’s 13-2 Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 20, to crown the National Champion.
Notre Dame, Ohio State Clash in CFP Title Game
Blue Blood Matchup
In a season of parity, the highly anticipated National Championship comes down to a pair of blue-blooded programs. The matchup is arguably a showdown of the nation’s top two teams. Notre Dame and Ohio State are meeting for just the ninth time. Ohio State, eight-point favorites in the title game, owns a 2-6 series advantage over the Irish. Notre Dame has faced four Big Ten opponents this season. The Irish handled Purdue 66-7, USC 49-35, Indiana 27-17, and Penn State 27-24.
“Ohio State will present a tough challenge,” said Irish head coach Marcus Freeman at a press conference this week. “We know that. We’re looking forward to this opportunity of playing in the College Football National Championship game.”
Ground Game Key to Notre Dame’s Title Hopes
Facing a tough Ohio State defense, the Notre Dame offense must establish its explosive rushing attack. Running back Jeremiyah Love and quarterback Riley Leonard have each had a rushing touchdown in the same game 11 times this season. That is the most by any FBS duo in any season in the last 25 years.
“I think each team can be different,” Freeman related. “For us, we have to be able to run the football, and we’ve got to find ways to do that. At the end of the day, you’re going to study teams that have had success against your opponent, but you still have to do what your team does well. Again, for us to have success, we’re going to have to be able to run the ball. And we’re going to have to stop the run. Obviously, you know me well enough. “I’ve said that for every game we play. But it won’t be any different for this game.”
Love leads all Irish runners this season. The workhorse ball carrier has racked up 1,122 yards (7.1 average) on 159 carries and scored 17 touchdowns. Leonard is the second-leading rusher on the team. The Duke transfer has run for 866 yards on 167 carries. He has been bankable in the red zone all season, scoring 16 touchdowns. Jadarian Price and Aneyas Williams have also been key contributors out of the backfield. Price has gained 733 yards (6.3 average) on 117 carries with seven touchdowns. Williams, who has played an expanded role in the postseason, has gained 219 yards (6.4 average) on 34 carries and has found the end zone twice.
Can the Dominant Irish Defense Contain the Buckeyes?
Notre Dame’s high-ranking defense has been a cornerstone of the team’s success all season long. Led by Jack Kiser, Howard Cross III, and Xavier Watts, Al Golden’s tough and deep unit faces its most daunting challenge against the explosive Buckeyes guided by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Notre Dame must find ways to contain Ohio State’s high-powered offense and force turnovers. If the Irish defense can disrupt rushing lanes and pressure Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, it will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game. Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, has passed for 3,779 yards this season, completing 292-of-402 attempts. He has thrown 33 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and has been sacked 12 times.
Notre Dame prides itself on man-to-man press coverage. On the other side of the ball, Ohio State is stacked with playmaking wide receivers. Jeremiah Smith leads the Buckeyes this season. The explosive freshman has accumulated 1,227 receiving yards (17.3 average) on 71 catches this year with 14 touchdowns. Emeka Egbuka is another serious weapon for Howard. Egbuka has hauled in a team-leading 75 receptions for 947 yards (12.6 average) and 10 touchdowns.
“As you watch film, not many teams are successful just sitting in man coverage versus these receivers,” Freeman said. “We’ll obviously have to mix some things up and come up with a great plan to try to limit what they do in the passing game. You’re not going to be able to stop their receivers totally. They’re a talented bunch. So, we’ll come up with a plan and be able to adapt and adjust based off what’s going on in the game.”
Full-Circle Moment for Freeman?
The National Championship game represents a full-circle moment for Freeman. Although not in the context one might think. The Irish head coach played his college ball at Ohio State before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the NFL.
“In terms of this season, yeah, from where we started with the start of A&M and the loss to Northern Illinois to now, you’re saying we’re getting ready to play for the National Championship,” Freeman said. “Yeah, it’s full circle. This has nothing to do with the past and where I went to school. This is about this opportunity that lies right ahead of us.”
As for being the first black head coach to lead his team to the CFP title game, Freeman said, “I was given an opportunity by our former Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick and Father John Jenkins. They made the decision to give me an opportunity. What I continue to hope is that people get opportunities based off their actions and not the color of their skin. That doesn’t point to just one group of people, but we want to make sure we continue to give the right people opportunities to lead our young people. And I believe in that.”
Final Hurdle for Notre Dame
With a program- record 14 victories already in the books, Notre Dame stands on the precipice of history. A win over the highly talented Buckeyes in their fourth postseason matchup would solidify the Irish’s season as one of the greatest in the school’s history. The stage is set for an epic classic. If the Irish, fueled by their unprecedented success this year, can bring their A-game and notch one more victory it would not only cement their place among college football’s elite, but it would cap off a remarkable 2024-25 campaign.
Aiming for a remarkable 15th win in 16 games this season, Freeman’s tough-as-nails team is one win away from the program’s first National Championship since 1988 and 12th National Championship overall. History awaits.
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