Ohio State will face Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night.
On Wednesday, BetMGM Sportsbook listed Ohio State as an 8.5-point favorite, which is a point lower than the original line.
The eighth-seeded Buckeyes (13-2) have beaten Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas on their way to the championship game, where they will aim for their sixth national title since the poll era started in 1936. Their most recent championship came in 2014.
The seventh-seeded Irish (14-1) have defeated Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State and are playing for their 12th national title, their first since 1988.
Why Ohio State will win
The Buckeyes are considered more talented and healthier at the moment, which is a strong advantage.
In the 28-14 semifinal win over Texas, Ohio State had a rough offensive performance, which might have caused some concern among fans. Credit goes to Texas, which has one of the best defenses in the country and managed to shut down star receiver Jeremiah Smith. However, Ohio State has many other offensive threats.
Ohio State’s defense is ranked first and has already beaten three offenses in the CFP that, on paper, are stronger than Notre Dame’s offense.
Why Notre Dame will win
The Irish have a top-tier defense that is known for forcing turnovers at one of the highest rates in the country. For Notre Dame to win, they will likely need to make a few turnovers in their favor.
On offense, Notre Dame will need to perform well on third downs. They have converted 22 of 44 third-down attempts in three CFP games, including 11 of 17 in their 27-24 semifinal win over Penn State.
The Irish also need to continue improving their downfield passing game. Jaden Greathouse had his first 100-yard receiving game in the semifinal, and quarterback Riley Leonard, who has struggled with passes over 10 yards, completed passes of 32, 36, and 54 yards.
The pick
Ohio State Buckeyes, 27-13.
