Picks and predictions for the College Football Playoff title game: Will Notre Dame or Ohio State win the championship?

The College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year, with the two best teams in college football battling for the ultimate prize. In this case, we are presented with a matchup between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes, two historic and storied programs. Both teams have had impressive seasons, showcasing a mix of talented players, strong coaching, and exciting football. As the 2025 CFP National Championship looms, fans and analysts alike are already debating which team will emerge victorious.

In this analysis, we will examine the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, look at key players, discuss coaching strategies, and provide a detailed prediction of who will win the coveted title.

1. Overview of Notre Dame’s Path to the CFP National Championship

Notre Dame’s road to the 2025 College Football Playoff has been a journey of resilience, solid team play, and steady improvement. Under head coach Marcus Freeman, the Fighting Irish have been a consistent force in college football, and this season has been no exception. Freeman, who took over the program in 2022, has instilled a sense of discipline and toughness in his team, and that mindset has paid off in the 2024 season.

Notre Dame’s offense has been powered by a balanced attack, featuring both a strong passing game and a dynamic ground game. The Fighting Irish have consistently been able to control the clock, dominate the line of scrimmage, and put points on the board. On defense, Notre Dame has shown a knack for shutting down high-powered offenses, thanks to their depth, athleticism, and ability to create turnovers.

The Fighting Irish’s key victories in the regular season included impressive wins over high-profile teams, such as USC, Clemson, and Tennessee, and their lone loss was a narrow defeat to a top-ranked opponent. With their season-ending success and an impressive performance in the CFP semifinals, Notre Dame earned a well-deserved spot in the championship game.

2. Overview of Ohio State’s Path to the CFP National Championship

Ohio State, led by head coach Ryan Day, is one of the most dominant programs in college football, and their 2024 season has been nothing short of spectacular. The Buckeyes have had an excellent mix of high-octane offense, a solid defense, and a relentless will to win. Ohio State’s success has been propelled by a dynamic offense that features one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, a plethora of playmaking wide receivers, and a strong running back corps. The defense, while not as highly touted as the offense, has been effective at limiting big plays and forcing turnovers.

Ohio State’s offense is one of the most potent in college football, often putting up huge numbers in both the passing and running games. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been the centerpiece of the Buckeyes’ offense, and his ability to read defenses, make accurate throws, and extend plays has been a key factor in Ohio State’s success. The receiving corps, which features a combination of speed, size, and route-running ability, has made it difficult for opposing defenses to contain the Buckeyes’ aerial attack.

On defense, Ohio State’s front seven is a formidable group that has done an excellent job of pressuring opposing quarterbacks and stopping the run. The secondary, while young, has shown promise and has improved as the season progressed. Ohio State’s defense has been the difference in several games, and they will need to step up in the title game to slow down Notre Dame’s offense.

Ohio State’s journey to the CFP title game included key victories over rivals like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin, and their strong play in the CFP semifinals solidified their place in the national championship.

3. Key Players to Watch

Notre Dame:

Sam Hartman (QB): Hartman, the veteran quarterback for Notre Dame, has been the leader of the offense all season. His ability to make accurate throws, especially on deep passes, has been a key factor in Notre Dame’s offensive success. Hartman’s leadership and poise under pressure will be crucial in the title game.
Audric Estime (RB): Estime is one of the top running backs in college football and has been a workhorse for Notre Dame this season. His combination of size, speed, and vision makes him a tough player to stop. Ohio State’s defense will need to find a way to slow him down to force Notre Dame into passing situations.
Jayson Ademilola (DT): Ademilola has been a dominant force on the defensive line for Notre Dame. His ability to disrupt the pocket, stop the run, and create pressure on the quarterback will be critical in this matchup. He will play a big role in trying to contain Ohio State’s potent offense.

Ohio State:

C.J. Stroud (QB): Stroud has been one of the top quarterbacks in college football this season and is known for his strong arm, accuracy, and ability to read defenses. He will be the focal point of Ohio State’s offense and will need to make quick decisions and deliver the ball accurately against Notre Dame’s defense.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR): Harrison is one of the best wide receivers in the country and has been a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses all season. His ability to stretch the field, make contested catches, and create big plays will be a huge asset for Ohio State in the championship game.
Jack Sawyer (DE): Sawyer is a standout defensive end who has been a force on Ohio State’s defensive line. His ability to rush the passer and disrupt Notre Dame’s offense will be crucial in this game. If he can put pressure on Hartman and disrupt the timing of Notre Dame’s passing game, Ohio State will have a significant advantage.

4. Strengths and Weaknesses: Analyzing the Matchup

Notre Dame’s Strengths:

Balanced Offense: Notre Dame’s offense is effective both in the air and on the ground, allowing them to attack defenses in multiple ways. With Hartman at quarterback and Estime at running back, the Fighting Irish can dictate the pace of the game and control time of possession. This is a key strength, as it allows them to keep Ohio State’s high-powered offense off the field.
Defensive Line: Notre Dame’s defensive line is deep and disruptive. Players like Ademilola can create pressure on the quarterback, while the defense as a whole has been effective at stopping the run and limiting big plays. This will be crucial against Ohio State’s explosive offense, as getting pressure on Stroud and limiting running lanes for Buckeye backs will be a priority.
Discipline and Coaching: Under Freeman, Notre Dame has become known for its discipline and attention to detail. The team is well-coached, and Freeman’s ability to make adjustments during the game will be key in this matchup. Notre Dame’s ability to stay focused and execute in key moments could make the difference in a close contest.

Notre Dame’s Weaknesses:

Inconsistent Passing Attack: While Hartman has been solid, Notre Dame’s passing attack can be inconsistent at times. Against elite teams, the Fighting Irish have struggled to consistently generate big plays in the passing game. If Ohio State’s defense is able to neutralize the ground game and force Notre Dame into obvious passing situations, it could expose their passing attack.
Secondary Play: While the Notre Dame defense is strong overall, their secondary has been vulnerable at times. Against an elite quarterback like Stroud and a dynamic receiver like Harrison, the Fighting Irish secondary will need to step up and prevent big plays down the field.

Ohio State’s Strengths:

High-Powered Offense: Ohio State’s offense is one of the best in the country, led by Stroud and Harrison. The Buckeyes can score quickly and in a variety of ways, making them a dangerous team on every possession. Their ability to stretch the field with deep passes and exploit mismatches will be key to their success in the championship game.
Defensive Line Play: Ohio State’s defensive line, led by Sawyer, is one of the best in the nation. Their ability to rush the passer and stop the run will be critical in this game. Notre Dame’s offensive line will need to be at its best to prevent Ohio State from disrupting the offense and forcing negative plays.
Special Teams: Ohio State has an advantage in special teams, with excellent kickers and returners. In a close game, field position and special teams can play a major role in determining the outcome.

Ohio State’s Weaknesses:

Inconsistent Defensive Backfield: While Ohio State’s defensive line is strong, their secondary has been a weakness at times this season. If Notre Dame is able to get the ball to their playmakers on the perimeter, it could exploit some of these weaknesses.
Relying Too Much on Offense: Ohio State has been so reliant on their offense to win games that they can sometimes struggle when the defense is not performing at a high level. If the Buckeyes’ offense is slowed down or forced to make mistakes, their defense may not be able to carry the team.

5. Keys to the Game

Notre Dame: For the Fighting Irish to win, they will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Keeping Ohio State’s offense off the field with a strong ground game and limiting big plays in the passing game will be crucial. Hartman will need to make quick decisions and avoid turnovers, while the defense must find a way to contain Stroud and Harrison. If Notre Dame can limit Ohio State’s explosive plays and sustain drives on offense, they have a good chance to win.
Ohio State: For the Buckeyes to win, they need to take advantage of their high-powered offense and put pressure on Notre Dame’s defense. Stroud and Harrison will need to be at their best, and Ohio State’s defense must step up and contain Estime and force Hartman into uncomfortable situations. If Ohio State can establish a fast tempo, score quickly, and get to the quarterback, they should be able to control the game.

6. Prediction:

This game will be an exciting, high-stakes battle, with both teams having a legitimate shot at the national title. However, in this matchup, Ohio State’s offensive firepower and ability to make big plays will be the deciding factor. C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. will make enough explosive plays to give Ohio State the edge, while the Buckeyes’ defense will find a way to slow down Notre Dame’s offense just enough to secure the win.

Prediction: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 24

The Buckeyes will win the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, led by a stellar performance from Stroud and Harrison, and a strong defensive effort that limits Notre Dame’s offensive production. While the Fighting Irish will put up a strong fight, Ohio State’s overall talent and ability to make big plays will ultimately prevail.