2025 National Championship Game Preview: Key Players in Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

The first ever 12-team College Football Playoffs has had its good and bad moments. The First Round had a lot of blowouts, but when we got to the semifinals, we saw the classic games we were hoping for. 

Now, only two teams remain for the 2025 National Championship: Ohio State and Notre Dame. Both have gone through three games to get here, though Ohio State certainly faced the tougher schedule, going through Oregon and Texas. 

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know for the 2025 National Championship game between Ohio State vs. Notre Dame on Monday, January 20, 2025. 

If you’re looking to cash in on the final college football game of the year, PrizePicks is the easiest way to do it. Just pick more or less on at least two player projections and get paid if your picks are right. With the Will Howard free pick for the National Championship game, it’s never been easier to cash in on the college football action.

Ohio State Preview | Notre Dame Preview | National Championship Players to Watch

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2025 National Championship Game 2025: Everything You Need to Know for Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know for the 2025 National Championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame on Monday, January 20, 2025.

When is the National Championship Game?

The 2025 National Championship Game between Ohio State and Notre Dame is on Monday, January 20, 2025, with the game officially starting at 7:30 p.m. ET, and kickoff slated for 7:45 p.m. ET.

Where is the National Championship Game?

The 2025 National Championship game will be played in Atlanta, Ga., at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC.

What Channel is the National Championship Game?

Fans can watch the National Championship games on ESPN on Monday, January 20. It can also be live streamed on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. 

The broadcast will begin with College GameDay at 5 p.m. ET, followed by 7 p.m. ET Ram Trucks Pregame, and the AT&T Pregame Showcase at 7:30, with kickoff expected at 7:45 p.m. ET. 

You can also watch the National Championship with Field Pass with the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN2.

Last Time Ohio State Won a National Championship?

Ohio State will be seeking its first National Championship since 2014, when the Buckeyes defeated Oregon, 42-20, under coach Urban Meyer. That team was led on offense by QB Cardale Jones, RB Ezekiel Elliott, and WR Michael Thomas, and on defense by All-Americans Joey Bosa and Michael Bennett.

Last Time Notre Dame Won a National Championship?

Notre Dame has 11 National Championships, with its last title coming in the 1988 National Championship over West Virginia, 34-21, when the Fighting Irish were coached by Lou Holz. The title game capped off an undefeated season for the Irish. 

Since then, Notre Dame has returned to the National Championship three times, and lost all three, including a 42-14 loss to Alabama, which was later vacated.

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National Championship Game Preview: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

Ohio State has dominated this playoff run, outscoring its opponents 111-52. However, Notre Dame has played a little tighter, especially in the last game against Penn State, which it won on a last-second field goal. 

We will review these teams and what they’ll bring to the table in this game and highlight some players to watch on both sides.

Ohio State Preview vs. Notre Dame

Ohio State looks like it’s destined to finish the season on top, and them being a resounding favorite shows that.

The last game against Texas was closer than the others, but like any good team, they made the big play at the right time — which was the fumble recovery for a touchdown by DE Jack Sawyer. It was the culmination of Ohio State keeping the pressure on Texas QB Quinn Ewers all day long.

This offense is tough to lock down because they have too many playmakers for the opposing defense to concentrate on. That showed against the Longhorns, where they shut down star WR Jeremiah Smith with 1 receptions for 3 yards, after going off against Oregon for 187 yards and two touchdowns. 

That was when others stepped up; Carnell Tate led with 87 receiving yards, then TeVeyon Henderson had a huge 75-yard receiving touchdown, and the other running back Quinshon Judkins scored twice on the ground. And that doesn’t even bring WR Emeka Egbuka into the equation.

No matter how Notre Dame tries to shut them down, the Buckeyes have the depth to move the ball.

As good as the Buckeyes offense is, it may not be the best part of their game, because this is the best defensive unit in the country. They are No. 1 in defensive EPA (-0.159), allowed the fewest passing yards per game (161.1), third-fewest rushing yards per game (90.3), and highest sack percentage (11.03%). 

In the last game against Texas, when the offense struggled to sustain drives, the defense kept them in and ultimately won.

Notre Dame Preview vs. Ohio State

Notre Dame’s defense will try to play smash-mouth football, which could make this a physical game. The Fighting Irish are right behind Ohio State with the second-best defense EPA and points per game (-0.154). The Irish’s strength comes through their secondary, where they are first in opponent completion percentage (50.7) and third in passing yards allowed (165.3). 

Ohio State QB Will Howard might not be a large factor in this game against this defense, but he may not need to be, as the Notre Dame run defense is where they’re vulnerable. The Irish are 35th in rushing yards allowed per game (133.4) and allowed 204 yards to Penn State last week.

The large question that looms for the Fighting Irish offense is the status of RB Jeremiyah Love. He’s played the last two games, but his carries have been limited. He had a few great runs, including that rushing touchdown where he had to fight for the last couple of yards.

This game could be on QB Riley Leonard. He had a solid performance against Penn State, with 223 passing yards and a touchdown, but he also had two interceptions, which he absolutely cannot afford to do against Ohio State.

National Championship Game Players To Watch

Ohio State RBs TreVeyon Henderson + Quishon Judkins

The Ohio State run game needs to literally and figuratively carry this team to a National Championship. Henderson and Judkins have been a great 1-2 punch, with each averaging over five yards per carry. They need to put the Buckeyes in manageable situations, third and shorts, which allow them to be versatile and open up the playbook.  

What makes it more difficult to defend is they both can catch passes, and each had over 20 this season; the biggest play against Texas was when they faked Henderson to block, and he was open for a quick pass, which ended up being a 75-yard touchdown. If the two put up solid numbers, then the Buckeyes will win.

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard

With Love playing hurt, we’ve seen Leonard have to do more to keep the offense moving. If this had happened earlier in the season, that might have been tough for him when he threw under 200 yards and 0 passing touchdowns in the first three games.

He’s gotten better as the season has progressed, and in that last game, he had some impressive drives with his arm, finishing with 223 passing yards. It will be challenging with how excellent OSU’s pass defense is, but Leonard can also use his legs, and if he has the lane to get positive yards, he needs to use it.

Ohio State QB Will Howard: National Championship Free Pick

PrizePicks is offering a free pick on Ohio State QB Will Howard for the National Championship game. That means Howard only needs to throw for one yard to cash his passing yards projection on PrizePicks. You only need to combine the Howard free pick with one other National Championship pick to get paid when the game ends.

His passing yards projection for the game is currently set at 245.5, which he has gone for more than in all three of the College Football Playoff games so far, averaging over 300 yards in those games.

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Cash in on the National Championship Game on PrizePicks

And then there were two: Ohio State and Notre Dame. The National Championship game is finally here, and although Ohio State is a big favorite, it sets up an exciting matchup between two historic teams.

PrizePicks is the best way to cash in on your takes for the game. Just pick more or less on player stat projections — like passing yards or receptions — and lock in your Lineup. 

With the Will Howard free pick on the board, it’s never been easier to get paid for your college football takes.