CFP National Championship Game Preview: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State

The College Football Playoff National Championship is set, featuring Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish against Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. This matchup between two historic programs should deliver a thrilling showdown of contrasting styles and strengths, with the title on the line.

Notre Dame’s Path to Victory
Notre Dame’s success under Marcus Freeman has been defined by physicality and situational excellence. They’ve thrived in low-scoring games, leveraging their explosive run game and stout defense to grind down opponents. The offensive line, a cornerstone of this approach, has been terrific in the run game all season, but their struggles in pass protection create vulnerabilities against top-tier edge rushers like Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, two of the best pass rushers in college football. Keeping quarterback Riley Leonard upright will be critical to sustaining drives and creating balance on offense.

The Fighting Irish’s offensive foundation remains their rushing attack, which will face one of the best rush defenses in the nation. Ohio State’s defensive front has allowed just 62 rushing yards per game during the playoffs, setting the stage for a clash of strengths. If Notre Dame can’t establish their ground game, it may force them into long-yardage situations where Ohio State’s pass rushers can wreak havoc.

Defensively, Notre Dame’s secondary has been dominant. Cornerback Leonard Moore has excelled in man coverage, while Christian Gray, Jordan Clark, and Rod Heard II have played at a high level across other cornerback spots. Xavier Watts and Adon Shuler form arguably the best safety duo in the country, giving the Irish a formidable back end to counter Ohio State’s prolific passing attack. Their ability to match up with the Buckeyes’ talented group of wide receivers will be a major factor.

If the Fighting Irish can slow down Ohio State’s run game, it could allow them to drop more defenders into coverage. This will be vital against an Ohio State offense that excels at moving players pre-snap to create optimal matchups, making it difficult for defenses to key in on specific threats.

The Buckeyes’ Recipe for Success
Ohio State enters the championship with a blend of explosive offense and a dominant defense. Their receiving corps is unmatched in talent, consistently torching opponents with yards after the catch. The Buckeyes do an exceptional job of creating favorable pre-snap alignments, exploiting mismatches and creating space for playmakers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. Against Notre Dame’s disciplined secondary, they will need to find ways to separate to generate big plays.

One area of concern for Ohio State is their makeshift offensive line, which has had to adjust due to injuries. This unit’s ability to protect quarterback Will Howard and open lanes for backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson will be crucial. If Notre Dame’s front seven can limit Ohio State’s rushing attack, it may force the Buckeyes into a one-dimensional offense, giving the Irish an opportunity to focus on defending the pass.

Defensively, Ohio State’s edge defenders, Sawyer and Tuimoloau, have been game-changers. They face Notre Dame offensive tackles who have struggled in pass protection at times this season. If Ohio State’s defensive line can dominate in the trenches, it could disrupt the Irish’s offensive rhythm and tilt the game in the Buckeyes’ favor.

Keys to the Game

1. Notre Dame’s Run Game vs. Ohio State’s Run Defense: The Irish need their explosive run game to succeed against one of the nation’s best rushing defenses. Winning this battle will be critical to sustaining drives and keeping Ohio State’s offense off the field.
2. Notre Dame’s Secondary vs. Ohio State’s Receivers: This is the marquee matchup. The Irish’s elite cornerbacks and safeties will need to limit Ohio State’s explosive plays while winning their share of one-on-one battles.
3. Pass Protection for Both Teams: Notre Dame’s offensive tackles must hold up against Sawyer and Tuimoloau, while Ohio State’s makeshift offensive line must protect Howard from Notre Dame’s front seven.

Prediction
While Notre Dame has the blueprint to make this a competitive, physical contest, Ohio State’s superior talent and depth may prove decisive. If the Buckeyes’ defense controls the trenches and their offense capitalizes on Notre Dame’s weaknesses in pass protection, they’ll likely hoist the trophy. However, if Notre Dame can execute their game plan, slow the pace, and capitalize on key situations, they have a real shot at pulling off the upset.
-Brad Fowler, Pint Glass Football