Notre Dame and Ohio State will take on in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Buckeyes punched their ticket to the face-off by beating Texas on Friday, 28-14, in the second of this season's 2 semifinals, one day after Notre Dame topped Penn State, 27-24, in the other semifinal.
The nationwide title video game pits 2 of college football's stingiest defenses versus one another. Of the 2 programs, Ohio State definitely blazes a trail in raw skill– and NFL potential customers– with the excellent lineup coach Ryan Day has actually put together. Marcus Freeman's Fighting Irish group has actually played with excellent synergy this season and will have an outstanding opportunity to win it all.
Here are 3 things you require to learn about the national championship match, with an eye on the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin):
1) Big phase for Senior Bowl-bound QBs.
Both quarterbacks, Notre Dame's Riley Leonard and Ohio State's Will Howard, were with various programs when these groups fulfilled in 2023 (a 17-14 Buckeyes win). Each has actually assisted form their groups' success this season, and both Leonard and Howard are likewise devoted to play in next month's Reese's Senior Bowl.
Leonard is a dual-threat QB who counts on his running a fair bit, specifically in short-yardage scenarios. He's run for 16 goals in 15 video games this season, consisting of one in Thursday's win over Penn State, keying the second-half resurgence. Leonard's death has actually been cold and hot this season, and his interceptions have actually been on the increase in the 2nd half of the season, however he has actually made a number of huge tosses throughout the Irish's playoff run.
Howard took heat for his play in the loss to Michigan, however he's put that behind him in the playoff, although his interception early in the 2nd half versus Texas stopped Ohio State's momentum, a minimum of for a while. He's a huge, tough passer with adequate athleticism to be a run hazard, too. All the tools are there for him to be an NFL quarterback, however pressure can cause problematic mechanics and off-target tosses.
2) Major edge for Ohio State in offending playmakers.
It assists that Howard has 2 of the very best receivers in the nation on his group. Emeka Egbuka went back to school and enhanced his play from an irregular 2023 season, however freshman Jeremiah Smith is the Buckeyes' most explosive playmaker and standout sophomore Carnell Tate led the group in getting on Friday. They will check Notre Dame's outstanding secondary.
The Buckeyes are well balanced offensively, able to fire the ball downfield to their variety of pass catchers or lean on their set of talented running backs.
OSU RBs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson can keep up power, contact balance and speed, as Henderson revealed on a 75-yard TD catch on a screen pass versus Texas.
