The first iteration of the 12-team College Football Playoff has been whittled from 12 to eight to four and now just two teams remain. Ohio State and Notre Dame meet Monday for all the marbles.
Ohio State is going for its first title since the end of the 2014 season. It’s been much longer for Notre Dame; the Irish last won a championship in 1988 when the team capped a 12-0 season with a Fiesta Bowl victory over West Virginia.
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Line: Ohio State -8.5 | Total: 46.5
It’s no secret that Notre Dame wants to run the ball and it’ll need to have success on the ground against Ohio State. The Irish would be best suited keeping it out of the Buckeyes’ hands and eating up as much clock as possible.
Another key that could swing the game: Which quarterback will make a costly mistake? Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard has thrown an interception in every CFP game so far and Ohio State’s Will Howard has had some truly devastating turnovers in the two games the Buckeyes lost this season. This could be the game for either team where a turnover leads to a game-shifting touchdown.
Follow all the action in Atlanta below.
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OSU streak broken
Notable on that drive: The first holding call against Ohio State opponent since Sept. 21 against Marshall. Yes, really.
That was the first holding call against an Ohio State opponent since September.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 21, 2025
Also: the streak of Ohio State opponents not being called for offensive holding is finally over after 12 games. Not that the Buckeye fans had noticed.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 21, 2025
Notre Dame punts it
Well after an 18-play drive to kick things off, Notre Dame just went three-and-out and moved backwards on their second drive of the game. The Buckeyes will have it back at their own 25-yard line.
Touchdown Ohio State!
The Buckeyes respond with a touchdown of their own after an 11-play, 75- drive is capped off by a Will Howard pass to Jeremiah Smith. Game on in Atlanta!
OSU 7, Notre Dame 7
End of Q1: Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 0
It was a quick opening quarter in Atlanta after Notre Dame’s lengthy drive ate up so much clock. But the Buckeyes have responded and have a first down at the ND 13-yard line when the action resumes.
Buckeyes on the march
TreVeyon Henderson breaks loose for a 19-yard run to move it past the 50 and into Notre Dame territory.
Buckeyes offense takes the field
Now it’s Ohio State’s turn. The Buckeyes have a first down after Will Howard found Jeremiah Smith on his first throw of the game.
Leonard threw up on sideline, per ESPN’s Molly McGrath
Riley Leonard immediately ran to the sideline, threw up and stumbled to the bench area, per Molly McGrath.
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) January 21, 2025
What a start for the Irish!
Notre Dame just amassed an epic, 18-play slog of a game-opening drive if you’ve ever seen one. Two fourth-down conversions and two third-down conversions via the feet of QB Riley Leonard. Old-school, grown-man football.
Touchdown Notre Dame!
What a statement opening drive by the Irish! They just ate up nearly 10 minutes of game time and Riley Leonard is into the end zone on a short run. That was an 18-play, 75-yard drive and Leonard ran the ball nine times for 34 yards.
Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 0
Irish convert on fourth-and-1 inside 5
Notre Dame is on the doorstep now.
Irish inside the red zone
This has been a methodical opening drive for Notre Dame. The Irish are now inside the 20 after another first-down run by Riley Leonard.
Notre Dame converts on fourth down
The Irish are clicking now and over midfield after another first-down run by Leonard.
Irish move the sticks
Three plays, two runs and a first down for Riley Leonard. The Irish will want to control this game on the ground and the first series showed that.
Notre Dame will start at the 25
We are underway in Atlanta!
OSU wins coin toss, defers
The Irish will have the ball first in Atlanta. Let’s goooo!
Awesome environment. Both fan bases are loud and fired up. Let’s have ourselves a game.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 21, 2025
Atmosphere in Atlanta is madness. Vibes are immaculate. This place is very drunk and very ready for football.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 21, 2025
The ESPN open for the Ohio State-Notre Dame CFP National Championship Game is a top-notch hype video narrated by Common. 🏈📺🎙️ pic.twitter.com/oHyMbJbnU2
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 21, 2025
The national anthem is done and the teams are coming out of the tunnel now. We are moments away from kickoff!
