- On the other side of the field, Marcus Freeman’s team has shown a resilience that Notre Dame has not had since before this century. The Fighting Irish also had to win three straight games over top-ten opponents to reach this point, which included the 2025 Sugar Bowl over No. 2 Georgia and the 2025 Orange Bowl over No. 4 Penn State. The first of those two victories marked the first time the Fighting Irish have won a New Year’s Six bowl game since 1994.
On the other side of the field, Marcus Freeman’s team has shown a resilience that Notre Dame has not had since before this century. The Fighting Irish also had to win three straight games over top-ten opponents to reach this point, which included the 2025 Sugar Bowl over No. 2 Georgia and the 2025 Orange Bowl over No. 4 Penn State. The first of those two victories marked the first time the Fighting Irish have won a New Year’s Six bowl game since 1994.
While Marcus Freeman has elevated this historic program in his third year, now comes the Fighting Irish’s stiffest test against an Ohio State team firing on all cylinders. Ever since their home loss to Michigan, the Buckeyes have looked entirely different. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has been way more aggressive in the passing game, getting the ball out to talented wideouts like Jeremiah Smith.
Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard has also been in elite form. The grad transfer from Kansas State has posted Beers above 90.0 in all three of Ohio State’s playoff victories. That aggression in the passing attack is critical, as Ryan Day’s team occasionally has had inconsistencies with the ground game. Overall, Ohio State will beat Notre Dame in New Orleans for a multitude of reasons. Here’s ultimately why the Buckeyes will hoist their ninth national championship on January 20.
Ohio State football simply has the best defense in the country. The Buckeyes have only allowed 12.2 points per game, which ranks first in the nation. This unit has no distinct weaknesses and was only exposed in one game at Oregon in October. The Ducks were nowhere near as successful the second time around, with most of their 21 points coming in garbage time.
