Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: National Championship Game 2025 Preview
Atlanta, GA – The stage is set for an epic showdown as the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish face off in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Team Overview
The Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2) are favorites to win the championship as they had the better of their opponents all throughout the season. On their path to Atlanta, they racked up impressive wins against the Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks, and Texas Longhorns. The Buckeyes’ defense has stood tall, yielding just 251.1 total yards and 12.2 points per game.
On the other hand, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1) have equivalently shown great resilience and determination. Their run to the championship is backed by respective victories against the Indiana Hoosiers, Georgia Bulldogs, and Penn State Nittany Lions. The offense for Notre Dame has been a juggernaut, having averaged 225.8 rushing yards per game and 37.7 points per game.
Key Matchups to Watch
- This is the kind of game that Notre Dame should win: Notre Dame’s running game versus Ohio State’s defense. Ohio State’s defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer have been particularly active; in the CFP, Sawyer earned a not-to-be-ignored seven deflected passes and 4.5 sacks.
- Notre Dame’s Defense vs. Ohio State’s Offense: Will the Fighting Irish slow down an explosive Buckeyes offense? The expected return of two key players, including the wide receiver Beaux Collins and tailback Jeremiyah Love, has a big say on how well the Fighting Irish will be on defense.
- Special Teams: Both teams demonstrated immense finishing prowess in their play on special teams; hence one single mistake may have a huge impact. The aggressive ND special teams unit has run many successful fake kicks and blocked six kicks on the season, and they will always be looking to capitalize on any mistakes.
Draft Prospects
The Ohio State Buckeyes have the most draft-eligible players, as Mel Kiper Jr. ranks ten Buckeyes among the top ten at their respective positions. Notable prospect to watch include QBs Will Howard and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at this stage. An NFL general manager indicated that none of the players on the field will be going in the top 20 picks of this year NFL draft. But the future is bright for young talents, such as Ohio State’s star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Notre Dame doesn’t have as many players in the rankings, yet they pride themselves on team and good defense. Players to watch are tight end Mitchell Evans and safety Xavier Watts, both of whom are likely headed for the draft. Quarterback Riley Leonard’s excellent performance late in the season also turned heads with pro scouts.
Challenges and Strategies
Special teams have propelled Notre Dame to the National Championship Game in 2025, buoyed by a tenacious defense and a wholesale offense that can adapt to anything. The Irish have created turnovers, executed creative special teams plays, and gotten to this crucial matchup.
In order to limit Jeremiah Smith’s impactful plays on game night and increase their odds of beating Ohio State, Notre Dame should really be looking to shut down this “nuclear weapon,” as described by an offensive coach. With a tradition of man-to-man-covered defense, Notre Dame faces an age-old dilemma: keep their system in place or change course in order to contain such an explosive player as Smith. Coach Marcus Freeman’s decision to change up the defense could be a key point in the game.
The offense of Notre Dame, with QB Riley Leonard at the helm, has been quite run-oriented, especially with design runs for the quarterback. Since he has also been instrumental in helping the team, especially in critical times, some of their offensive strength is expected to return with some key players: namely, Beaux Collins and tailback Jeremiyah Love. Collins, who played just seven snaps in the semifinal, and Love, coming back full-speed and healthy, will be crucial in the game plan for Notre Dame.
This dimension of Ohio State’s playcalling-from misdirections to even their pre-snap movement-hats worked to keep opposing defenses off-balance. Buckeyes’ offensive line has received a good deal of input in looking to excel and solidify conjunction with itself, even despite growing injuries and then combinations. The essence of this lack of downfield threat and quick-strike ability for the Irish could spell disaster when dealing with the Ohio State defense.
Key Players and Strategies
Ohio State’s roster is not only strong but very huge, featuring incredible defensive end Jack Sawyer, who has deflected seven passes; has recorded 4.5 sacks; and did have a game-clinching scoop-and-score against Texas. The Buckeyes’ QB Will Howard has also played a big part, even showing some vulnerability to zone coverage.
Instead, Notre Dame, with a mix of exploitative special teams, a stellar defense, and the flexible offense, has reached the championship. Quarterback Riley Leonard has stood tall in front of formidable pass rushes and should be credited for great tenacity and leadership.
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Expert Picks and Predictions
There is hardly any doubt about that; coaches, scouts, and analysts all concur on this Ohio State powerhouse. A veteran scout from the NFL said: “I just think Ohio State has too much talent and they’re playing well. Notre Dame is well coached, but Ohio State’s depth and skill give them a significant advantage its depth and skill elevate them.”
Strategic Insights
- Limiting Jeremiah Smith: Notre Dame’s defense will focus on slowing down Ohio State’s star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, whose ability to make explosive plays has changed the game all season.
- Man-to-Man Coverage: Notre Dame will have to make an important decision: stick to the man defense that they have done well with or adjust to counter Ohio State’s high-powered offense.
- Special Teams Advantage: The aggressive and creative special teams play from Notre Dame, via six blocked kicks, will be crucial in closing the talent gap.
How to Watch
Fans can catch the national championship game live on ESPN. For those on the go, streaming options include the ESPN App, ESPN+, and Fubo. Be sure to catch all the action starting at 7:30 p.m. ET as two college football powerhouses battle it out.
Additional Updates
- First Kickoff: The game is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. ET or 5:30 p.m. MT on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
- Live Broadcast: The match is going live on ESPN; it will be streamed live on ESPN+.
- Ohio State’s Road to the Title Game: The Buckeyes had a tough season, but they walked into the tournament after putting in some quality wins against Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas.
- Road to the Title Game: The Fighting Irish enjoyed an excellent season with wins against Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State.
- Key Matchup: The Buckeyes’ offense averages 428.3 total yards and 35.8 points per game, while Notre Dame’s defense has allowed only 319.6 total yards and 13.6 points per game.
- Ohio State’s quarterback Will Howard injured his non-throwing hand during the semifinal, but he assured it was all about getting fit for the title clash.
Latest Updates
- Injury Report:Notre Dame’s injury report is clear for the championship game; all the student-athletes listed on the two-deep depth chart will be available. Star players Beaux Collins and Jeremiyah Love are expected to be in top condition.
- Halftime Entertainment: Fans can look forward to a special performance by Houston rapper Travis Scott, who will debut his long-awaited “4X4” live at halftime.
- Weather Forecast: The weather in Atlanta is expected to be clear and mild, with temperatures around 60°F, providing ideal conditions for an exciting game.
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