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ATLANTA — The curtain will fall Monday night on what many are calling the longest and most unusual college football season in history. The only familiar aspect is the matchup between the two teams vying for the championship: Ohio State and Notre Dame.
These two historic programs are set to clash in a title game that concludes the inaugural 12-team playoff system in college football. This matchup on January 20 is notably a week later than the previous latest championship game ever held.
This game will be the 16th for both squads—a number that would have been unimaginable in earlier years when most teams finished their seasons around New Year’s Day after 11 or 12 games. “I feel like we’ve been in the postseason since Week 3,” Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator Al Golden remarked.
Typically, by Week 3, the Fighting Irish’s hopes for a championship would have faded, especially after suffering a loss to a comparatively unknown Northern Illinois team. Head coach Marcus Freeman stands on the verge of making history as he could be the first African American coach to claim the college football championship.
If the playoff system had remained limited to four teams, as it had been for the previous decade, Notre Dame’s chances of contention would have seemed dismal following such a defeat. However, the introduction of a 12-team playoff format has opened new avenues for teams like Notre Dame.
Ohio State experienced a heart-wrenching 13-10 defeat to their rivals, Michigan, during the Thanksgiving weekend, a result that many labeled as devastating to their season. Fans even began questioning the future of head coach Ryan Day, following his fourth consecutive loss to the Wolverines. Ohio State had entered that game as a 20-point favorite, seemingly set to advance toward the Big Ten title before that disappointing outcome.
After the loss, it appeared the only salvation for Day’s position was to secure a national title. And here we are today.
“There are some great stories about what was said behind closed doors, some of the challenges that were raised after the Michigan game,” Day shared. “But the only way those stories get told is if a banner gets raised.”
As the title match approaches, several factors will be critical to keep an eye on:
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is a dynamic dual threat, having thrown for 19 touchdowns alongside 16 rushing touchdowns. Ohio State boasts the top defense in the nation regarding both points and yards allowed, and may need to position an extra defender near the line to mitigate Leonard’s impactful plays. In addition, Notre Dame’s defense has produced an impressive 32 turnovers this season, amassing 151 points as a direct result. Winning the turnover battle will be vital for the Fighting Irish if they hope to pull off an upset.
Ohio State’s premier playmaker, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, struggled in the semifinal, catching just one pass for three yards against Texas. Notre Dame will have to adapt after losing five defensive starters to season-ending injuries; their replacements will need to devise a plan to keep Smith subdued in this critical game.
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