The College Football Playoff championship is set to unfold on Monday evening as Ohio State takes on Notre Dame at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. As of Wednesday, BetMGM Sportsbook has placed Ohio State as an 8.5-point favorite, a slight decrease from the initial betting line.
The Buckeyes, seeded eighth with a record of 13-2, have made their way to the championship by defeating notable teams such as Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas. This matchup presents an opportunity for Ohio State to claim its sixth national title since the poll era commenced in 1936, following their last championship win in 2014.
Meanwhile, the seventh-seeded Fighting Irish are entering the game with a 14-1 record, having triumphed over teams like Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State. Notre Dame aims to secure their 12th national championship and their first since 1988.
When examining the reasons for an Ohio State victory, one can highlight the team’s superior talent and current health status as crucial factors. Despite a somewhat sluggish offensive performance during their 28-14 victory over Texas, which may have caused some anxiety among fans, the Buckeyes demonstrated their depth. The Texas Longhorns, known for boasting one of the nation’s top defenses, managed to contain star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith; however, Ohio State has shown they possess various offensive threats.
Defensively, Ohio State stands tall with a top-ranked unit that has already handled three offenses in the playoffs that are statistically stronger than that of Notre Dame.
On the other side, the Irish possess a defense that rivals championship standards, particularly due to their ability to force turnovers at an impressive rate. If Notre Dame is to emerge victorious, they likely need a few key takeaways during the game.
From an offensive standpoint, the Irish will need to excel on third downs, having converted 22 out of 44 attempts across three playoff games, including a commendable 11 out of 17 in their 27-24 semifinal victory over Penn State. There is also a pressing need for advancement in their downfield passing game. Receiver Jaden Greathouse recently achieved his first 100-yard receiving game during the semifinal, while Riley Leonard has recorded significant passing plays traveling 32, 36, and 54 yards, despite struggling with throws exceeding 10 yards.
In terms of predictions, Ohio State is expected to secure a decisive win with a projected score of 27-13.
As for predictions throughout the playoff season, they currently stand at 1-1 straight-up and against the spread during the semifinals, with a cumulative season record of 226 wins and 62 losses straight-up, and 145 wins against the spread to 141 losses overall.
