It’s all led to this. After months of thrilling games and surprises, the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff wraps up tonight with a championship showdown that feels straight out of a Hollywood script. At the heart of it: No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State, two powerhouse programs with everything to prove.
Notre Dame hasn’t tasted national championship glory since 1988–a 36-year drought for one of college football’s most storied names. But this year feels different. The Fighting Irish enter the title game on a 13-game win streak, their longest since the Lou Holtz era, and have already set a program record with 14 victories. For head coach Marcus Freeman, this isn’t just about hardware–it’s about making history.
Ohio State has a compelling storyline of its own. The Buckeyes’ season seemed on the ropes after a heartbreaking loss to Michigan in their regular-season finale. Yet, they roared back in the postseason, crushing top-seeded Oregon in the quarterfinals and outscoring playoff opponents 111-52. Head coach Ryan Day has his team peaking at the perfect time, chasing their first national title since 2014.
And then there’s the rivalry. These two programs are no strangers to each other, with Ohio State holding a decisive 6-2 advantage in their all-time series. The Buckeyes have won the last six matchups, including two over the past three years. But if Notre Dame has shown anything this season, it’s that streaks are meant to be broken.
When the clock hits 7:30 p.m ET. at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, college football fans will witness history, no matter which team prevails. All that’s left to do now is settle it on the field.
CFP National Championship 2025 LIVE: Get the latest updates from the Ohio State vs Notre Dame game
Ohio State and Notre Dame will face off for the College Football Playoff national championship. Both programs are steeped in history, and tonight’s winner adds another prestigious title to their already loaded trophy cases.
For Notre Dame, it’s a chance to tie Michigan with 12 claimed national championships, solidifying their place near the top of college football’s all-time elite. Ohio State, meanwhile, can claim its ninth title, moving into a tie with Pitt for fifth-most all-time. But numbers don’t win games–execution does–and both teams know the stakes couldn’t be higher.
While Ohio State holds the edge in the series history at 6-2, including six straight wins, this year’s Fighting Irish are a team on a mission. Their defense has been rock-solid, and they’ve shown a knack for thriving in high-pressure moments. Even so, the Buckeyes enter as 8.5-point favorites, leaning on their explosive offense and a postseason performance that’s been nothing short of dominant. Predictions vary, with some analysts backing Ohio State’s firepower and others expecting a gritty, down-to-the-wire win for Notre Dame.
Despite the frigid winter weather outside, the retractable roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ensures ideal conditions for this indoor classic. No excuses, no distractions–just two legendary programs battling for the ultimate prize.
This one’s for the history books. Will it be Ohio State reclaiming its championship pedigree or Notre Dame finally ending its long title drought? Football fans, buckle up–it’s going to be a wild ride.
