NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
For the second consecutive year, much to the annoyance of Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey, no SEC team will be in the CFP national championship game.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing for college football. The sport has much better national appeal when it has geographic balance among the top contenders instead of consistent SEC dominance like most of the last two decades.
Notre Dame squaring off against Ohio State for the national title Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a refreshing matchup, even if the teams met during the 2022 and ‘23 regular seasons with the Buckeyes prevailing.
If you’re trying to attract television viewers, you can’t go wrong with a brand like Notre Dame, which has been reeling in a national audience in huge numbers since the coaching days of Knute Rockne.
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates a touch down with teammates in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
More from Gene: Jacksonville Jaguars coaching search: Here’s who should be top candidate (and two backups)
Nobody has a more storied history than the Fighting Irish, though Michigan, Alabama and Ohio State would likely debate that point.
And with a popular coach in Marcus Freeman taking the program to a higher level after Brian Kelly divorced the Irish for LSU, it’s a huge boost for college football to have Notre Dame back on the biggest stage.
“It’s cool to have Notre Dame involved at this time of year,” said Tony Barnhart, long known in media circles as Mr. College Football and a columnist for TMG College Sports. “Can you imagine what the TV ratings are going to be Monday night? It’ll be fun.
“Marcus Freeman is a great story. This Notre Dame…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-gets-changeup-pitch-161800885.html
Author : The Florida Times-Union
Publish date : 2025-01-16 16:18:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
