Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: Who has the edge in 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship?

(7) Notre Dame faces (8) Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday in Atlanta. The Buckeyes are seeking their first title since 2014 — the first year of the expanded four-team CFP — while Notre Dame is trying to snap a championship drought that dates back to 1988.

Notre Dame’s CFP journey started with a home win over in-state foe Indiana in the first round. The Fighting Irish then won their first major bowl game in 31 years with a 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They punched their ticket to the title game with a win over Penn State in last week’s Orange Bowl.

Ohio State clinched its third title appearance in the CFP era with wins over Tennessee, Oregon and Texas. The Buckeyes used a dramatic late strip-and-score from Jack Sawyer to clinch a 28-14 victory over the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl.

Here is who has the edge at key positions in the College Football Playoff National Championship

Quarterback

Notre Dame: Riley Leonard
Ohio State: Will Howard

Howard is the better pure passer, and he has played his best football during Ohio State’s CFP run. In three games against Tennessee, Oregon and Texas, he’s thrown for 919 yards and six touchdowns with just two interceptions. On the other side, Leonard is the superior runner. He rushed for 886 yards and 16 scores on the year, including an 80-yard performance in the Irish’s win over Georgia. Defensively, Ohio State is great against the run, while Notre Dame’s secondary ranked No. 1 in opposing rating (99.9) and completion percentage allowed (50.6). As far as matchups go in this game, this is about as even as it gets. Edge: Even

Skill talent

Notre Dame: Jeremiyah Love (RB); Jadarian Price (RB);  Jaden Greathouse (WR); Mitchell Evans (TE)
Ohio State:…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ohio-state-vs-notre-dame-who-has-the-edge-in-2025-college-football-playoff-national-championship/

Author : Cameron Salerno

Publish date : 2025-01-16 19:01:00

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