College Football Playoff 2024-25: All the details about Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

In the first 12-team College Football Playoff, Notre Dame and Ohio State are the last two teams in the running.

must devise a strategy that guarantees the ball will end up in Smith's hands regardless of what the Fighting Irish do.

The CFP National Championship, presented by AT&T, will take place on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta between the seventh-seeded Fighting Irish and the eighth-seeded Buckeyes. A title drought will end for whichever team wins. Notre Dame is trying to win a championship for the first time since 1988. The Buckeyes won the inaugural CFP Championship ten years ago, so Ohio State's drought isn't quite as long. It feels like a long time, though, given their constant greatness.

Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame and Ryan Day of Ohio State are both aiming for their first head coaching titles, and Freeman's history will be discussed. In the last two seasons, Freeman and the Irish have fallen short against Day and the Buckeyes. Freeman will now play his former college, Ohio State, where he was an All-Big Ten linebacker under coach Jim Tressel, with everything on the line following an outstanding coaching performance this season. For a team that has failed before but never given up, Day has the opportunity to accomplish the ultimate aim.

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, ranked seventh

What the semifinals taught us

 Unquestionably, Notre Dame's defining characteristics are its perseverance and situational awareness/performance, which have the potential to propel the squad to a title. Against Penn State, the Irish once again triumphed despite injuries that plagued them throughout the season. They also dominated on third downs on both sides of the ball, erased two deficits, and kept the lead during the "middle eight"—the last four minutes of the first half and the opening four minutes of the second half.

Key players like linebacker Jack Kiser, running back Jeremiah Love, and quarterback Riley Leonard are reliable for Notre Dame. But they can also rely on kicker Mitch Jeter, wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, and backup quarterback Steve Angeli. It's quite difficult to knock these Irish out because they fight hard

Greathouse had only three combined catches for 14 yards in the first two CFP games and had modest stats going into Thursday: 29 receptions, 359 yards, and one score. But with 4:38 remaining in the game, he knotted the score with a 54-yard touchdown and set career highs in receiving yards (105) and receptions (7). The Notre Dame offense may depend more on Greathouse as it demands more from its wide receivers, especially in downfield plays. He appears to have found his groove just in time, even though he has already surpassed his reception totals from the previous five games. He recorded all but six of his receiving yards in the second half, demonstrating his ability to step up when it mattered most.

How's Notre Dame Winning?

Jeremiah Smith, a true freshman wide receiver and Ohio State's top offensive playmaker, was shut down by Texas, who only managed one reception for three yards on three targets

Due in part to the loss of several key players to season-ending injuries, the Irish team will not have a talent advantage in Atlanta. They do, however, have the necessary attributes to contend with any opponent. As offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has stressed, Notre Dame needs contributions in all three phases and needs to keep getting better at s downfield passing. Against Penn State, they at last started to see results. Replicating their third-down effectiveness from the Penn State victory—converting 11 of 17 attempts on offense and giving up only 3 of 11 conversions on defense—will aid the Irish team, who probably cannot afford to lose the turnover margin

What the Semifinals Taught Us

Jack Sawyer, a senior defensive end who produced one of the greatest defensive plays in Ohio State history, leads the Buckeyes' championship-caliber defense. Sawyer knocked down Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on a fourth-and-goal with two minutes remaining, causing a fumble that he picked up and carried 83 yards for a game-winning touchdown that sent Ohio State to the national championship. The Buckeyes didn't play well in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic because they had trouble scoring against a strong Texas defense for the majority of the game. Late in the game, though, Ohio State demonstrated why they have what is perhaps the finest defense in college football.

Two snaps set the table before the Sawyer scoop-and-score. Unhealthy senior safety Lathan Ransom escaped incoming blockers and tackled Texas' rushing back, Quintrevion Wisner, for a 7-yard loss on Ohio State's 1-yard line, facing second and goal. With just over two minutes left, the Longhorns were behind by a touchdown after an incomplete throw put them in desperate mode on fourth and goal. The most notable player in Ohio State's secondary is All-American safety Caleb Downs, who intercepted a pass during Texas' subsequent drive. However, Ransom and other seasoned players are on the Buckeyes' defense.

How does Ohio win?

 

Two snaps set the table before the Sawyer scoop-and-score. Unhealthy senior safety Lathan Ransom escaped incoming blockers and tackled Texas' rushing back, Quintrevion Wisner, for a 7-yard loss on Ohio State's 1-yard line, facing second and goal.

Jeremiah Smith, a true freshman wide receiver and Ohio State's top offensive playmaker, was shut down by Texas, who only managed one reception for three yards on three targets. The Buckeyes' offense is most effective when Smith gets the ball early and frequently, as demonstrated in the first two playoff games. Without a doubt, Notre Dame will adopt Texas' strategy, positioning defensive backs to take on Smith. Chip Kelly, Ohio State's offensive coordinator, must devise a strategy that guarantees the ball will end up in Smith's hands regardless of what the Fighting Irish do.