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Ohio State and Notre Dame to Meet in 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship in Columbus

Ohio State and Notre Dame set for a closer clash in the National Championship

The longest college football season in history is nearing its end, with only one game left. The season began on August 24, 2024, when Georgia Tech defeated then-No. 10 Florida State 24-21 in Ireland. This game set the stage for a season full of surprises.

Now, nearly five months later, (7) Notre Dame and (8) Ohio State are set to face each other in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Atlanta. Both teams have earned their spot in this game. Notre Dame defeated Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State to get here, while Ohio State has defeated Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas.

These teams have proven to be among the best in the country this season, even though each has one surprising loss. However, only one team will leave with the national title. The spread suggests Ohio State is the heavy favorite, but is that the best bet? Let’s break down the spread, total, and a few prop bets for this matchup between two of the biggest programs in college football.

National Championship: (7) Notre Dame vs. (8) Ohio State

Spread

One of the biggest challenges in the expanded College Football Playoff is dealing with injuries. As teams play more games, injuries become more common. Both teams have had injuries during the season, but Notre Dame has faced more difficulties in the playoffs. Ohio State’s offensive line has been hit hard, and Notre Dame has suffered injuries all over the roster.

In the playoffs, Notre Dame lost star defensive tackle Rylie Mills early and also lost two offensive linemen in the win over Penn State, including left tackle Anthonie Knapp. Knapp has been ruled out for the title game, but there’s a possibility Charles Jagusah, who was supposed to start earlier in the season before getting injured, could replace him.

Despite the injuries, Notre Dame has been a strong team. However, facing Ohio State, arguably the most talented team in the country, makes this matchup challenging. Outside of their loss to Michigan, Ohio State has been excellent all season. Their defense has been particularly strong in the playoffs, overpowering Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas. Although Notre Dame’s offensive line has been solid, their current patchwork line may struggle against Ohio State’s defensive line, which has been dominant.

While Notre Dame’s defense has been impressive all season, they haven’t faced an offense as strong as Ohio State’s. Ohio State has proven its defense can handle high-scoring teams, holding Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas to just 52 points combined in the first three rounds of the playoffs.

Notre Dame players celebrates after scoring in the 1st half

Notre Dame’s offense, while strong, relies heavily on the run game, which may not match up well with Ohio State’s top-tier defense, especially given the state of Notre Dame’s offensive line. Based on the current situation, it’s hard to bet on Notre Dame. Pick: Ohio State -8

Total

While I’m confident in picking Ohio State to cover the spread, I feel even more confident in betting on the total. The main reason is that Notre Dame’s offense may struggle to score many points. The Irish will likely need to generate points through defense or special teams, areas they’ve excelled in all season.

On the other hand, Ohio State’s offense may not easily light up the Notre Dame defense. While Notre Dame’s defense has been injured, they’ve been opportunistic and effective all season. It’s not unrealistic to think they can slow down Ohio State’s offense. In the past, Texas showed how to successfully defend against Ohio State by limiting key players like Jeremiah Smith. If you’re hoping for a high-scoring game, you may be disappointed. Pick: Under 46.5

Props

  1. Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard (37.5 yards rushing): Leonard’s mobility is key to Notre Dame’s offense. However, Ohio State’s defensive line has been dominant, and their pass rush has led to several sacks. Leonard has been sacked six times in three playoff games, which has affected his rushing totals. While Leonard is capable, it’s hard to see him hitting this rushing yard total. Pick: Under
  2. Ohio State TE Gee Scott (17.5 yards receiving): Scott has been more involved in the offense during the playoffs, with 10 catches for 99 yards in three games. He has exceeded this yardage in each playoff game and has had at least 30 yards in every game. With Notre Dame focusing on Ohio State’s star receivers, Scott will likely get more opportunities. It wouldn’t take much for him to hit this mark. Pick: Over
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College Football

Officials criticized for controversial Arch Manning decision in Dallas

Arch Manning celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the 2nd half

No. 5 seed Texas appeared to be close to tying the game in the fourth quarter after a tough setback just minutes earlier.

Ohio State took a 21-14 lead in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic with a 13-play, 88-yard drive, finishing with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Quinshon Judkins with 7:02 left in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Texas’ offense had trouble moving the ball against Ohio State for most of the game, but they quickly started a drive on their next possession.

Beginning at their own 25-yard line, the Longhorns advanced to first and goal at the OSU one-yard line in nine plays.

Texas had been using backup quarterback Arch Manning in certain red zone situations this season, and he had been effective, giving their offense a mobile option that starting quarterback Quinn Ewers didn’t. Fans and local media in Austin hoped to see Manning used more in these situations during the CFP.

However, head coach Steve Sarkisian kept Ewers in the game for two running plays, which ended in a loss of seven yards. (The loss came from a toss play.)

After an incomplete pass on third down, Ewers was sacked and fumbled on fourth down. Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer scooped up the ball and scored a touchdown with 2:13 left in the game.

Arch Manning runs for a 67-yard touchdown in the 1st half

Fans on social media expressed confusion over why Sarkisian didn’t bring Manning in at the goal line, arguing that it might have helped Texas’ offense against Ohio State’s defense.

Manning’s substitution had worked earlier in the game when he helped the Longhorns get a key first down on a fourth-and-one run in the first half.

“No Arch Manning in at the goal line is crazy,” wrote a fan.

“Blows my mind how you don’t use Arch Manning down at that goal line series! Unbelievable…but a great game if Texas scores on that series we would have likely had overtime or Ohio State having to put a game-winning scoring drive together,” posted another.

“Arch Manning should’ve been in last drive at the goal line,” argued a fan.

“Not to mention they have Arch Manning to just do sneaks or draws over and over. In fact, they’ve done that all year in goal line packages. That play calling snafu was Pete Carroll 2.0,” wrote another.

“Texas should’ve brought Arch Manning out there at the goal line,” suggested a fan.

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College Football

A pass interference call against Notre Dame sets up a Penn State touchdown in the Orange Bowl in Miami

Drew Allar throws in the 1st half

With 8:42 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Orange Bowl, Notre Dame’s Jack Kiser intercepted a pass from Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. Allar had thrown a fade route to Tyler Warren on the left side of the end zone. However, Notre Dame’s excitement was short-lived.

The officials flagged defensive pass interference on the play, which wiped out the interception and moved Penn State to Notre Dame’s 9-yard line. Just two plays later, the Nittany Lions scored a touchdown to take a 24-17 lead.

After Penn State kicked the extra point, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman had a heated conversation with three officials on the sideline. Despite his protests, the call stood.

Penn State had struggled in the passing game against Notre Dame. The Nittany Lions had not completed a pass to a receiver in the first half, relying instead on Tyler Warren.

Although Warren couldn’t catch the touchdown pass against the Irish, his contact with the defender led to the pass interference penalty. The impact of the controversial call on the game’s final result remains to be seen.

Jack Kiser in the 1st half

Penn State DE Abdul Carter wears Darth Vader eyeblack

Penn State defensive star Abdul Carter made a unique statement on Thursday by wearing eyeblack that read “Darth Vader.” The choice referenced a post Carter made earlier in the week on X, where he shared a clip from the Disney+ show Obi-Wan Kenobi. The clip featured Darth Vader healing in a “bacta-tank,” and Carter saw a connection to his own recovery from a shoulder injury he sustained in Penn State’s win over Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Like Vader, Carter is a force to be reckoned with when fully healthy. The junior has 63 tackles and a team-high 11 sacks this season, ranking seventh in the country for sacks in the 2024 campaign.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, Carter’s NIL representative, Drew Rosenhaus, praised his tough mentality.

“This guy is a warrior, he loves his coaches and his team, he would fight to win the championship no matter how much was at risk,” Rosenhaus said. “I was at the last game where he hurt his shoulder and the guy went out there and tried to play with one arm… He’s going to give it his all for Penn State, his teammates deserve that, that’s who he is, that’s how he was raised by his parents, and that’s what makes him great.”

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College Football

Tough, traditional defense is a key trait for all four teams still in the national championship race

Xavier Watts celebrates in the 2nd half

The expanded College Football Playoff feels old-school with tough, physical defenses leading the way for the last four teams fighting for the national title.

If you’re looking for high-scoring offenses, you might want to look elsewhere this weekend. The defenses, featuring multiple All-Americans, are the main focus of the semifinals. Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, and Notre Dame are all ranked among the top eight defenses in the country this season.

The No. 8 seed Buckeyes (12-2) will play the No. 5 Longhorns (13-2) in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night. Ohio State is ranked first in total defense and scoring defense, while Texas is ranked third and fourth in those categories.

The Orange Bowl, set for Thursday night, will feature No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1) against No. 6 Penn State (13-2), both of which have strong defenses that shut down top players like Georgia’s and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, the nation’s top running back, in the quarterfinals.

Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, who was 0-3 against Texas while at Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State, described the Longhorns’ defense: “They got some dudes, man,” Howard said.

Jack Swayer celebrates in the 1st half

And he’s right. The Longhorns have playmakers all over their defense.

Longhorns senior cornerback Jahae Barron won the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back. Edge rusher Colin Simmons leads the team with nine sacks and won the Shaun Alexander Award as the best freshman.

Barron leads a tough, experienced secondary that has been hard on receivers and has forced turnovers in 23 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the country.

In the quarterfinals, Texas beat Arizona State in double overtime, with safety Michael Taaffe’s hit on a receiver in the final drive being reviewed for targeting, though it was ruled legal. Andrew Mukuba then sealed the win with an interception near the goal line in the 39-31 game, which was the most points Texas allowed all season.

“I think our defense has been tremendous all year,” said Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. “As far as football goes, hey, we don’t play flag football, man. This isn’t seven-on-seven. This is tackle football. We believe in playing a physical brand of football. We try to do it the right way within the rules.”

Next, the Texas defense will try to stop Ohio State’s standout freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith.

“You know, that kid can ball. He’s a big baller. Strong, strong ability. He’s a deep threat,” Barron said. “He’s a physical player, and I’ll have to be physical.”

Ohio State can also dominate physically, with pass rushers J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, plus All-American safety Caleb Downs in the backfield. The Buckeyes have allowed just 12.1 points per game this season, with only one 300-yard passer and two 100-yard rushers getting through.

When Ohio State lost to top-seeded Oregon earlier in the season, Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel had plenty of time to throw. But in a Rose Bowl rematch, the Buckeyes sacked Gabriel eight times, including two sacks each from Tuimoloau and Sawyer.

“When we’re executing and we’re at a high level, it’s hard to do anything with us,” said Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. “The most violent team, the team that plays the fastest, executes the most, and exceeds their game plan the most is going to win this game.”

Jahdae Barron celebrates in the 1st half

Notre Dame and Penn State will bring their own brand of tough defense to South Florida. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 for total defense and scoring defense.

After an easy win over Indiana in the first round, Notre Dame held Georgia to just 62 yards rushing and 10 points. They forced two turnovers and stopped Georgia on all three of its fourth-down tries, including one inside the Notre Dame 10-yard line with just under 10 minutes remaining. This was despite losing standout defensive tackle Rylie Mills to a knee injury earlier in the playoffs.

Notre Dame’s defense is led by safety Xavier Watts, a two-time AP All-American, who has six interceptions this season.

Penn State is ranked fifth in the nation against the run, allowing only 101 yards per game. In the quarterfinals, the Nittany Lions shut down Boise State’s top running back, Jeanty, holding him to a season-low 104 yards and forcing an early fumble.

However, Penn State took a hit when All-American defensive end Abdul Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, left early with an upper body injury and didn’t return.

Carter leads Penn State with 11 sacks and ranks second in FBS with 21.5 tackles for loss this season. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin is hopeful Carter will play this week but didn’t confirm it.

“At this point, I don’t think there’s anything that is stopping him from playing,” Franklin said Saturday.

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College Football

North Dakota State claims 10th FCS title with a 35-32 victory over Montana State in Texas

Cam Miller in the 1st half

Cam Miller scored two touchdowns by running and threw two more passes in his 54th consecutive game as North Dakota State’s quarterback. This helped the Bison win their 10th Football Championship Subdivision title, beating the top-seeded, undefeated Montana State 35-32 on Monday night.

North Dakota State (14-2) made the trip from Fargo to Frisco for the 11th time in 14 seasons. Their last title win there was three years ago, in a game where both Miller and Montana State’s Tommy Mellott were the starting quarterbacks.

Miller completed 19 out of 22 passes for 199 yards and ran 18 times for 121 yards. This victory marked his 45th win (out of 56 starts) and his second national championship.

“Cam Miller was the best quarterback on the football field today. There was no doubt about it,” said first-year NDSU coach Tim Polasek, who was an assistant coach during the Bison’s first two titles in Frisco at the end of the 2011 and 2012 seasons. “Tommy’s a good football player, there’s no question about that either. But all year long, these guys have answered the bell with complimentary football.”

Montana native Mellott ran 44 yards for a touchdown to bring the Bobcats (15-1) within 28-25 early in the fourth quarter. Mellott won the Walter Payton Award this season as the FCS’ top offensive player in a tight vote over Miller.

Mellott rushed for 135 yards on 14 carries and completed 13 of 24 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Taco Dowler with 1:09 left before an unsuccessful onside kick attempt.

“Our offense was a little bit stagnant there in the first half unfortunately and we came up short because of it,” Mellott said. “Guys kept fighting, it’s very easy 21-3 to quit… and we came back out there and we had a group of guys that fought for this team, fought for the seniors.”

Tommy Mellott looks to pass in the 1st half

The Bison never trailed after Miller finished the game’s opening drive, which lasted more than seven minutes, with a 2-yard touchdown run. On their second possession, with no one in the backfield, Miller received the snap and ran 64 yards untouched up the middle for another touchdown.

“It was a draw play with an option to pass as well… they played the perfect front and the perfect coverage for it for us. It just parted,” Miller said. “It didn’t feel real honestly. Usually when we run draws, you’ve got to make a few guys miss. And there was nobody there.”

Miller threw a 1-yard touchdown to Bryce Lance just before halftime, giving the Bison a 21-3 lead. Lance’s FCS-best 17th touchdown came one play after a catch near the front pylon. He was ruled out of bounds inside the 1-yard line after a replay review.

Lance, the younger brother of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance, who made his first start for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, finished with nine catches for 107 yards.

Lance made a diving 38-yard reception on the final play of the third quarter to set up Miller’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Joe Stoffel, restoring the Bison’s 10-point lead.

“The way the game played out, they played better than us and, you know, put ourselves in a big hole,” said Montana State coach Brent Vigen, a former NDSU player and assistant coach. “Obviously this is a low point… having 15 victories and you can’t finish it off.”

The key point
North Dakota State remains the only team in modern college football to have a perfect 16-0 season, which they achieved five years ago while also winning the national title. The Bison’s only loss in a title game in Frisco was two years ago to South Dakota State.

Montana State has not won a national title in 40 years. While the Bobcats hold a 21-18 lead in their series against North Dakota State, they have lost the last six matchups, all in the FCS playoffs since 2010. Last season, they were defeated 35-34 in the second round after a blocked extra point in overtime.