Notre Dame and Ohio State Battle for College Football Glory

Two teams arrive at the biggest stage in U.S. college sports. Two universities with rich traditions and a shared dream of becoming national champions, made possible by the new playoff format that has given them the chance to pursue glory that has eluded them for years.

On Monday, January 20, the College Football Championship Game will take place, with Las Vegas sportsbooks favoring Ohio State by 8 points over Notre Dame. But in the most anticipated game of the college football season, anything can happen.

Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play for their 12th national championship after edging the Penn State Nittany Lions 27-24 in the Orange Bowl, thanks to a 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter with just seven seconds left. The game was a rollercoaster, featuring three ties, three lead changes, and 31 points scored in the fourth quarter alone. A critical interception by Notre Dame’s Christian Gray set up the game-winning play.

Notre Dame (14-1), the No. 7 seed in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP), is seeking its first national title since 1988. Under head coach Marcus Freeman, the Fighting Irish could make history by crowning Freeman as the first Black head coach to win a national championship at the highest level of college football.

Penn State (13-3) controlled the early part of the game but failed to hold the lead. Head coach James Franklin’s struggles against AP top-10 teams continue, now standing at 4-20. Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard overcame an injury to lead four scoring drives, amassing 223 passing yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing).

Ohio State

In the other semifinal, the Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2) secured a 28-14 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl, earning a chance to compete for their sixth national championship. A highlight of the game was a historic 83-yard fumble recovery touchdown by Jack Sawyer, a game-changing defensive play late in the fourth quarter.

Texas (13-3) fought hard but fell short in capitalizing on red-zone opportunities. Quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns but also suffered a critical interception. Now, Ohio State will face Notre Dame on January 20 in Atlanta to determine the national champion.

The final promises to be a historic showdown in the debut year of the 12-team format, as two legendary programs aim to extend their legacies in college football.