The Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2) and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1) face off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the College Football National Championship this Monday at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
How to watch the game between No. 6 Ohio State and No. 5 Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship:
The Buckeyes not only made the trip to Atlanta, they came in strong. Ohio State made its mark by eliminating the Tennessee Volunteers, the Oregon Ducks and the Texas Longhorns in the playoff rounds. Not bad for a team that stumbled against rival Michigan late in the season.
After a painful loss to Michigan, Ohio State had two choices: languish or soar. They chose the second option. Against Tennessee, they displayed their power with a resounding 42-17 victory. Nonetheless, the real declaration of their intentions came in the rematch against No. 1 Oregon. Earlier this season, the Ducks defeated the Buckeyes in a thrilling 32-31 game in Eugene, but this time it was different. Ohio State jumped out to a 34-0 lead to seal a 41-21 victory, proving their desire to aim for more than just revenge.
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Let’s not overlook their semifinal matchup at the Cotton Bowl. Texas had a chance to tie it late in the game, but linebacker Jack Sawyer had it otherwise. His 83-yard fumble return sealed the victory, sending Ohio State past Atlanta with a final score of 35-21.
On the other hand, the seventh-ranked Fighting Irish had a clear mindset: “Why not us?” Not only did they win, but they dominated their opponents. Their journey began with a 27-17 victory over Indiana, a game much more lopsided than the final score would suggest. By halftime, it was almost nap time for the Irish fans, with their team leading 27-3.
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High Tensions in a Passionate Encounter
Then, Notre Dame taught the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs a lesson with a convincing 23-10 victory in the Sugar Bowl. They faced a closer game in the Orange Bowl against Penn State, winning 27-24 thanks to a strong defensive performance in the final moments.
Team Comparison: Offensive vs. Defensive
Let’s analyze the statistics. Notre Dame’s offense relies primarily on a strong running game, averaging 225.8 yards per game while scoring 37.7 points. Their defense is no slouch, allowing only 319.6 yards and 13.6 points per game.
As for Ohio State, they operate like a well-oiled machine. The Buckeyes average 428.3 yards and 35.8 points per game. However, their defense is the crown jewel, ranked No. 1 in the country. They allowed just 251.1 yards and 12.2 points per game, effectively shutting down the lane on the ground (89.9 yards allowed per game) and passing (161.1 yards).
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