Football
Notre Dame and Ohio State will face off in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Buckeyes punched their ticket to the showdown by defeating Texas on Friday, 28-14, in the second of this season’s two semifinals, one day after Notre Dame topped Penn State, 27-24, in the other semifinal.
The national title game pits two of college football’s stingiest defenses against one another. Of the two programs, Ohio State certainly leads the way in raw talent — and NFL prospects — with the impressive roster coach Ryan Day has assembled. But Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish team has played with great synergy this season and will have an excellent chance to win it all.
Here are three things you need to know about the championship game matchup, with an eye on the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin):
1) Big stage for Senior Bowl-bound QBs.
Both quarterbacks, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard and Ohio State’s Will Howard, were with different programs when these teams met in 2023 (a 17-14 Buckeyes win). Each has helped shape their teams’ success this season, and both Leonard and Howard are also committed to play in next month’s Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Leonard is a dual-threat QB who relies on his running quite a bit, especially in short-yardage situations. He’s run for 16 touchdowns in 15 games this season, including one in Thursday’s win over Penn State, keying the second-half comeback. Leonard’s passing has been hot and cold this season, and his interceptions have been on the rise in the second half of the season, but he has made several big throws during the Irish’s playoff run.
Howard took heat for his play in the loss to Michigan, but he’s put that behind him in the playoff, although his interception early in the second half against Texas stopped Ohio State’s momentum, at least for a while. He’s a big, sturdy passer with enough athleticism to be a run threat, too. All the tools are there for him to be an NFL quarterback, but pressure can lead to flawed mechanics and off-target throws.
2) Major edge for Ohio State in offensive playmakers.
It helps that Howard has two of the best receivers in the country on his team. Emeka Egbuka returned to school and improved his play from an uneven 2023 season, but freshman Jeremiah Smith is the Buckeyes’ most explosive playmaker and standout sophomore Carnell Tate led the team in receiving on Friday. They will test Notre Dame’s excellent secondary.
The Buckeyes are balanced offensively, able to fire the ball downfield to their array of pass catchers or lean on their pair of gifted running backs.
OSU RBs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson can run with power, contact balance and speed, as Henderson showed on a 75-yard TD catch on a screen pass against Texas. The Buckeyes’ offensive line has taken some health hits and is missing Josh Simmons and Seth McLaughlin, but the unit has held together well so far in the playoffs. Donovan Jackson is playing out of position at left tackle, but he’s handled himself well.
3) Stingy defenses feature plenty of NFL talent.
Most of Notre Dame’s NFL prospects are on defense. Defensive tackle Howard Cross III (son of the former Giants tight end) sets the tone up front. Fellow senior, linebacker Jack Kiser, is another NFL prospect; his instincts and run defense should give him a shot to make it in the league.
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (Senior Bowl commit) and slot cornerback Jordan Clark (East-West Shrine Bowl commit) are some of the leaders in the secondary. Watts is a do-it-all defender who has had a highlight-reel season, picking off six passes.
This defense, and specifically the secondary, will have its hands full all game with the talented Buckeyes offense. But if Notre Dame can win battles up front, it could disrupt OSU.
As for the Buckeyes defense, the unit’s secondary is led by Alabama transfer Caleb Downs, a sophomore who sealed the win over Texas with an interception. But there are veteran pieces across the group, including safety Lathan Ransom, CBs Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun and nickelback Jordan Hancock. Ohio State’s strength defensively is up front. Edge rushers Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau are a terrific duo, just as relentless as pass rushers as they are taking on the run. Sawyer made the play of the game on Friday with his fumble return for a touchdown after his strip-sack late in the fourth quarter. OSU is also anchored inside by the strong DT duo of Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton.
Read More Clora Michaud