College football fanatics, it’s time to get into a little bit of bowl frenzy. The 2024-2025 NCAA College Football Playoffs always promise to break some records with unforgettable moments. This tournament began with a single-elimination format, aiming to crown the national champion of the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This marks the 11th edition of the College Football Playoff, and it’s the first season featuring 12 teams, as determined by the College Football Playoff poll. Hopping forward toward the exciting finale of the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff, Notre Dame will take Ohio State in the final Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20th, 2025. Who comes out on top? Stay with us for predictions.
The University of Notre Dame’s football team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, is an essential source of pride and spirit. The team’s history dates back to November 23, 1887, when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lost to Michigan by 8-0. This, however, marked the beginning of a legacy as the Irish won against Harvard Prep School for the first time in 1888 and finished the season at 1-3, losing most to Michigan. From 1887 until 1899, Notre Dame amassed 47 games with 31 wins, 15 losses, and four ties to various opponents comprising local high schools and universities. As of January 9, 2025, the Notre Dame football program has amassed 958 wins, 338 losses, and 42 ties for a.732 winning percentage that ranks fourth among college football programs.
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team, representing Ohio State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, has left an indelible mark on college football and has been a dominant force in recent years. The Buckeyes have won eight national championships, including an impressive six recognized by major wire-service sectors such as the AP and Coaches Poll. The team has a tremendous record of 41 conference championships, 10 division titles, and an impressive 10 undefeated seasons, including six perfect seasons. The Ohio State Buckeyes have been flexing their muscles at or near the top of national polls in recent years. Their potent offense and stingy defense have made them one of the perennial contenders in college football.
2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff Final – Event Details
Teams: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Date: January 20, 2025 (Monday)
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT | 6:00 a.m. IST (Next Day)
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Notre Dame Bowl Games Key Wins
| Date | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
| January 2, 1978 | Cotton Bowl Classic | No. 1 Texas | W 38–10 |
| January 1, 1979 | Cotton Bowl Classic | No. 9 Houston | W 35–34 |
| January 2, 1989 | Fiesta Bowl | No. 3 West Virginia | W 34–21 |
| January 1, 1992 | Sugar Bowl | No. 3 Florida | W 39–28 |
| December 24, 2008 | Hawaii Bowl | Hawaii | W 49–21 |
| January 1, 2022 | Fiesta Bowl | No. 9 Oklahoma State | L 35–37 |
| December 30, 2022 | Gator Bowl | No. 19 South Carolina | W 45–38 |
| December 29, 2023 | Sun Bowl | No. 19 Oregon State | W 40–8 |
Ohio State Bowl Games Key Wins
| Season | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
| 2019 | CFP Semifinal at Fiesta Bowl | Clemson | L 23–29 |
| 2020 | CFP Semifinal at Sugar Bowl | Clemson | W 49–28 |
| 2020 | CFP National Championship | Alabama | L 24–52 |
| 2021 | Rose Bowl | Utah | W 48–45 |
| 2022 | CFP Semifinal at Peach Bowl | Georgia | L 41–42 |
| 2023 | Cotton Bowl Classic | Missouri | L 3–14 |
| 2024 | CFP Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl | Oregon | W 41–21 |
| 2024 | CFP Semifinal at Cotton Bowl Classic | Texas | W 28–14 |
Where to Watch the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff Final?
The 2024-25 College Football Playoff National Championship game between Notre Dame and Ohio State will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The game will also be streamed on the ESPN app, DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.
You can listen to the game through the ESPN App, which includes the Hometown Radio option. This option showcases the Notre Dame Football Radio Network and the Ohio State Sports Network.
College Football Playoff National Championship History
| Year | Champion |
| 2023 | Michigan |
| 2022 | Georgia |
| 2021 | Georgia |
| 2020 | Alabama |
| 2019 | LSU |
| 2018 | Clemson |
| 2017 | Alabama |
| 2016 | Clemson |
| 2015 | Alabama |
| 2014 | Ohio State |
The prize money for the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff
Each 12 teams participating in the College Football Playoff receives $4 million.
Each of the eight teams that advance to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals gets $4 million.
Each of the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff Semifinals is awarded $6 million.
The two teams that reach the College Football Playoff National Championship Game receive $6 million.
Key Players to Watch Out for in Notre Dame vs Ohio State
Key players include Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State, a dynamic wide receiver who demonstrated his prowess with 290 receiving yards and four touchdowns during the playoffs, posing a significant challenge to Notre Dame’s defense. On the defensive side, standout Jack Sawyer has made a mark with 4.5 sacks, playing a crucial role in Ohio State’s defense, highlighted by his game-sealing fumble return.
For Notre Dame, Riley Leonard, a transfer quarterback from Duke, has shown inconsistency but has also delivered key plays, such as a game-altering 80-yard run against Georgia. Defensive back Xavier Watts has excelled as a ball hawk, significantly aiding the defense with 13 interceptions across two seasons.
Prediction
Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
This Monday, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play the Ohio State Buckeyes in an exciting National Championship game. Both teams have had fantastic playoff runs this year, and it’s thrilling to see them both in this position. However, only one team can ultimately win the national championship. In the bowl games, Notre Dame has a rich history of playing in 44 games over the years. Some notable ones include the Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. Despite their mix of journeys, they have always been a strong team. This season, Notre Dame had made it to the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff Final, and they played in the Orange Bowl, one of the semifinal games against Penn State.
The first quarter of the game was a complete disappointment for both teams, who struggled to score points. In the second quarter, Notre Dame didn’t find the rhythm. This gave the opponent an advantage to outscore them 10-3. The one field goal for Notre Dame was from Jeter M. Following the quite disappointed first half, Notre Dame slowly started its dominance in the third quarter with the help of Leonard R. They marked their first touchdown. Jeter M. added one extra point, and their defense during this period was highly incredible, which prevented the opponent from scoring. The fourth quarter was fiercer, where both used their strong attack and scored continuously, but Notre Dame’s last-minute dominance helped them to reach the final stage.
On the other hand, Ohio State also has a fascinating history in bowl games, having played in 58 since its appearance in the 1920 Rose Bowl. This 2024-25 College Football Playoff season, they made it to the National Championship Game after defeating Oregon in the Rose Bowl and Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Their quarterfinal game with Oregon was phenomenal; they won with a dominant score of 41-21. In the first quarter of the game, Ohio State outscored the opponent 14-0, and in the second quarter, 20-8.
The first-half lead made the team qualify for the semi-final round against Texas. The game began with a one-touchdown from Judkins Q. and one extra point from Fielding J., who gave them an early lead. The second and third quarters were less impressive, but their remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter with a well-balanced offense and defense outscored the opponent 14-0. Considering their H2H record, in a total of three meets, Ohio State has the upper hand, and with their reference to recent form and performance, they are likely to win this game over Notre Dame.
