Why Notre Dame will beat Ohio State in the CFP title game

The culmination of the first round of 16 College Football Playoff as well as the 2024-25 season is less than a week away Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in Monday night’s national championship game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Notre Dame footballThe No. 7 seed in the playoffs, defeated No. 10 Indiana 27-17, No. 2 Georgia 23-10 and No. 6 Penn State 27-24 en route to the title game. Ohio State FootballThe No. 8 seed, defeated No. 9 Tennessee 42-17, No. 1 Oregon 41-21 and No. 5 Texas 28-14 to earn a chance to compete for the title.

Ohio State football is currently the eight-point favoriteaccording to ESPN Bet. Notre Dame football, however, has the tools it needs to finish the job.

Why Notre Dame football will win the CFP title game

Offense by the commission

Notre Dame football can impact the game in a variety of ways on the offensive side of the ball. Despite the struggles he faced earlier this season, quarterback Riley Leonard has not only been reliable for Notre Dame, he has been one of college football’s most consistent players at the position this season. Leonard is 247-of-372 on pass attempts this season for 2,606 yards and 19 touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions.

Notre Dame football can get the job done in the trenches. The Fighting Irish are tied for the ninth-fewest sacks allowed this season with 16. The dominant play Notre Dame got from its offensive line carried over to the ground attack.

Running back Jeremiiah Love has amassed 1,121 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on 159 carries. Leonard picked up 866 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground on 167 attempts. Running back Jadarian Price rushed for 733 yards and seven touchdowns on 117 touches.

Leonard has many options in the passing game and tends to take the time he needs to find his targets. Jaden Greathouse leads the team in receiving yards with 464 and two touchdowns on 36 catches. Beauck Collins caught 37 passes for 458 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Mitchell Evans has been Leonard’s favorite target this season, leading the team in receptions with 39. Evans has recorded 369 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Four other members have a team that has gained more than 200 yards this season.

When Notre Dame is on offense, it’s one of the toughest teams to beat in all of college football. If it gets going against Ohio State, Notre Dame could see its nearly four-decade national championship run end.

Ruthless defense

Notre Dame football has been one of the best defensive teams in college football this season. He allowed an average of just 14.27 points per game, which gave him the second-best scoring defense in college football. In addition, there is ninth fewest yards allowed per game in college football this season at 298.3. Louisville, USC and Penn State are the only three teams to score more than 17 points against Notre Dame’s defense.

Notre Dame also rebounded 13 fumbles and 19 passes intercepted this season, placing him third and fifth, respectively, in college football.

However, Ohio State football is also a strong defensive team. The Buckeyes’ defense ranks first nationally in scoring defense and yards allowed per game at 12.20 and 251.1, respectively.

Notre Dame will need to contribute on offense, but its defense could provide some room for error if it shows up ready to play. However, if the Fighting Irish don’t show up on the defensive side of the ball, it could be a long night for them.

Notre Dame can run the football

As previously mentioned, Notre Dame has the ability to impose its will with its offense on the ground.

Love is averaging 7.1 yards per carry this season, making him one of the most efficient running backs in college football. That’s something Notre Dame needs to take advantage of against Ohio State. Price needs to give him all the support he can as his complementary running back, and Leonard can’t be afraid to take the ball and pick up yards himself.

It starts early, but if the Fighting Irish can establish their running game early, they could put themselves in prime position to come out on top and take home college football’s most coveted prize.

Kickoff is set for Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with ESPN televising the telecast. This will be Notre Dame’s first appearance in the national championship game since 2013. Ohio State last made it in 2021. However, both teams fell short of the ultimate goal, both falling to Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.