The 2025 National Championship Game: A Midwest Showdown

Published: Thursday, January 16, 2025

by Kyle Ferreira

January 20th will be a busy day in this country, notably in the college football realm. 

After a chaotic, memorable, and electrifying season in the best sport around, two historic programs will duke it out on the gridiron. The Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2) and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1) will each be looking to be crowned the champions of college football. To the disgust of the SEC, a Northern team will once again win a National Championship for the second straight season.

The journey for both squads has been a torturous and demanding one, filled with skepticism and tons of criticism. From tons of preseason hype to fans panicking at every moment, the road has not been easy. 

For the Fighting Irish, everyone assumed this season was a wash after a Week Two home loss to Northern Illinois. The loss was so demoralizing that it heavily affected quarterback Riley Leonard’s confidence. But after a meeting with his head coach, Marcus Freeman, the next day, something sparked inside of Leonard and the program. 

From there, the Irish rattled off 13 straight wins and are now one win away from their first National Championship since 1988.

When looking at the Irish, this team offensively and defensively is full of outstanding players. The aforementioned quarterback, Leonard, has been crucial to their success since transferring from Duke in the offseason. Yet, running back Jeremiyah Love has had a breakout sophomore campaign, anchoring one of the best rushing attacks in the country. 

Statistically, Notre Dame has the 14th-best rushing offense in the nation. Much of this can be credited to offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who was the offensive coordinator at LSU last season and who elevated Jayden Daniels’ play. For Coach Freeman, their run game will be crucial against Ohio State. 

“For us, we have to be able to run the football, and we’ve got to find ways to do that,” Freeman stated on Sunday. 

Defensively, they are hard to beat. With only allowing the second-fewest points per game in the nation (14.3 points per game) and having a ridiculous 19 interceptions, they mean business. With All-American safety Xavier Watts and linebacker Jack Kiser captaining the unit, all signs point to Monday night being successful for the Irish. 

However, their opponents from Columbus want to return to the top of the college football mountain. It’s been ten long years since the Buckeyes last won their most recent National Championship, and everything pointed to this year being the year. After watching their rivals up North in Michigan win the championship last season, Ohio State was relentless in the offseason. 

Ohio State has talent galore in the transfer portal in Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins, and Will Howard. They hired former Oregon, UCLA, and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly to become their offensive coordinator. Plus, with signing an impressive high school class that included freshman phenom, receiver Jeremiah Smith, expectations were massive. 

Even with a loss to Oregon back in October, Ohio State was still on track to be a favorite to win it all. But their fourth straight loss to Michigan at the end of the regular season had Columbus enraged and calling for head coach Ryan Day’s job. The media, fans, and anyone who follows the sport have their opinions on them. 

However, this team has regrouped mightily, and their first three games in the College Football Playoff have shown that. A first-round home win over Tennessee, a blowout win in the Rose Bowl against Oregon, and beating Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Their last game with Texas was capped off by a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by defensive end Jack Sawyer. 

The senior was mocked for his antics following the Michigan loss, but now has people impressed by his journey of being a Buckeye. A top-rated recruit in the class of 2021 high school cycle, Sawyer bleeds scarlet and gray and is a true leader for the Buckeyes. 

Everywhere you look, it's clear why many considered this one of the best rosters in the sport during the preseason. The team boasts standout backs, talented receivers, and an offensive line that has overcome injuries to allow just 15 sacks. On defense, New Jersey native and linebacker Cody Simon has been nothing short of incredible.

The defense under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is unbreakable. Their run defense has been exceptional, only allowing a hair under 90 rushing yards per game (third in the nation). But in the pass rush, their 51 sacks this season were third in the nation, showing that this defense can do it all. 

Add on the Buckeyes allowed the fewest points per game in the nation this season, 12.2 points per game; they’re frightening. 

Monday will be a transitional period in the sport as a new champion will sit on the throne. It’s hard to pick against either squad in this one. 

Ohio State gets another opportunity at the trophy after losing to Alabama in the National Championship Game in the 2020 season. Notre Dame is considered likable by many, considering how many people have disliked it for years. Monday night in Atlanta though should be a fun one and a great conclusion to this season. 

Kyle Ferreira can be reached at kyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu. 

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