The stage is set for an exciting showdown in college football, as the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face off against the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff national championship game. This anticipated matchup follows Ohio State’s impressive 28-14 victory over the No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl and Notre Dame’s thrilling 27-24 win against the No. 6 seed Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl.
In the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins delivered a critical tiebreaking touchdown in the fourth quarter, while the Buckeyes’ robust defense executed a remarkable goal-line stand. Texas, despite a prime opportunity with first-and-goal at the 1-yard line late in the game, was thwarted by Ohio State’s defense, culminating in a 83-yard fumble return by defensive end Jack Sawyer – the longest in CFP history.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s path to the national title was showcased by their dramatic comeback against Penn State. A 54-yard touchdown pass from Jaden Greathouse tied the game in the final minutes, followed by a crucial interception from Christian Gray and a go-ahead field goal executed by Mitch Jeter in the dying seconds. This victory marks a significant improvement from Notre Dame’s previous CFP appearances, during which they failed to secure a win.
The championship game is scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2025, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, and fans can stream it online via the ESPN app and website.
As both teams prepare for this high-stakes matchup, history is on Ohio State’s side, having won six consecutive meetings against Notre Dame. However, the Fighting Irish are poised for redemption and are eager to claim their first national title in over three decades, last achieving this feat in 1988. The matchup promises to be a thrilling event, as both teams strive to make history in the new format of the College Football Playoff.
This championship not only showcases the elite talent of both programs but also ignites hope and excitement among their dedicated fanbases. With each team’s distinct playoff journeys, the upcoming game stands as a testament to resilience and determination in college football.