The College Football Playoffs will come to an exciting conclusion on Monday, Jan. 20, when the Ohio State Buckeyes face off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for an all-or-nothing national championship.
With Atlanta being painted shades of green and red from opposing fans, here are predictions for the potential winner of the National Championship.
Ohio State’s strengths
The Buckeyes are no stranger to the National Championship.
It’s hard to ignore such a successful team, as the No. 6 Buckeyes demolished the No. 1 Oregon Ducks 41-21 Jan. 1 and don’t intend on slowing down throughout the new year.
Ohio State’s slow start in the 28-14 win over Texas in the semifinal gave Buckeye fans a heart attack, but their willingness to finish out on top in tough games might be the deciding factor between them and Notre Dame.
The Buckeyes defeated the Longhorns, who had one of the best defenses in the country and managed to shut down Buckeyes star receiver Jeremiah Smith. However, the Buckeyes’ offense still managed to chip through the Longhorns’ steely defense, clinching their spot as an 8.5-point favorite in the National Championship.
Notre Dame’s strengths
The Fighting Irish haven’t been to a National Championship since the 2012 season, when they suffered a 42-14 loss to a nearly perfect Alabama team. The last time they won a championship was in 1988, and they’re hungry for an underdog victory.
The Irish have a championship-caliber defense that forces turnovers at one of the highest rates in the nation. With Ohio State being favored by 8.5 points, the Irish will need a few pointers to win.
On offense, the Irish must excel on third down. Notre Dame has converted 22 of 44 over three playoff games this season, including 11 of 17 in the 27-24 nail-biting semifinal win over Penn State.
Notre Dame needs to show progress in the downfield pass game, with wide receiver Jaden Greathouse having his first 100-yard receiving game in the semifinal against Penn State. For a team that wants to crack the Buckeyes’ spirit, they need to capitalize on eligible receivers.
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Predicted winner
Ohio State University should win the National Championship, beating Notre Dame by at least two scores.
With back-to-back blowout wins against Tennessee and Oregon, and a solid win in the semifinal against Texas, the Buckeyes have put together their most explosive and impressive performances of the season.
Although they suffered a third-consecutive, flag-planting defeat at the hands of their rival Michigan, they have since turned around to make a dramatic run at a national championship.
OSU’s devastating offense ranks in the top 10 on each side of the ball in success rate and marginal efficiency. Their defense is equally as built, boasting a first overall ranking in the Football Bowl Subdivision and a fifth overall ranking nationally, according to NBC.
The Buckeyes appear to be the stronger team, and trying to dominate them in a national championship might feel like a Sisyphean challenge for the underdog Fighting Irish.
Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at sports@dailylobocom or on X @kubiakizabella
