The first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff has presented some good matchups. Here is the 2025 National Championship Game Preview.
Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2)
Ohio State won 10 games to be selected as an at-large team for the CFP. They defeated six bowl-eligible teams before selection: Western Michigan, Marshall, Iowa, Nebraska, Penn State and Indiana. Both of their losses, Oregon and Michigan, were to teams that went over .500. They defeated Tennessee, 42-17, in the CFP first round. In the second round, they defeated Oregon 41-21. They notched a win over Texas in the semifinals, 28-14.
The Buckeyes score 35.8 points per game, ranking eighth in the country. They pass for 265.1 yards (ranked 23rd) and rush for 163.3 yards per game (ranked 59th).
Kansas State transfer Will Howard started at quarterback for the Buckeyes this season. He has passed for 3,779 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 72.6 percent completion. Three receivers have over 500 yards on the season in Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate. Smith leads the team as a freshman with 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Two running backs make quite the tandem for the Buckeyes. Quinshon Judkins has been good with 960 yards and 12 touchdowns. TreVeyon Henderson has helped the team have more life in the playoffs. On the year, he has 967 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Howard is a threat to find the end zone on the ground and has seven rushing touchdowns this season.
The Buckeyes have a stout defense that is the best in the country, allowing 12.2 points per game. They allow 90.3 rushing yards and 161.1 passing yards per game. Sonny Styles and Cody Simon have led the team in tackles with 94 and 104 a piece. JT Tuimoloau paces the team with 11.5 sacks. Davison Igbinosun has been aggressive in the secondary with nine passes defended and two interceptions.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1)
Notre Dame won 11 games in the regular season and currently has a 13-game win streak going. They defeated seven bowl-eligible teams in the regular season: Texas A&M, Miami (OH), Louisville, Georgia Tech, Navy, Army and USC. Their lone loss of the season was to Northern Illinois, who did make a bowl game. They defeated Indiana 27-17 in the CFP first round, then defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl 23-10. In the semifinals, the Fighting Irish defeated Penn State, 27-24.
The Fighting Irish have scored a lot this season, as they average 37.0 points per game, ranking third in the country. They pass for 194.3 yards (ranked 100th) and rush for 210.9 yards per game (ranked 12th).
Duke transfer Riley Leonard has operated the offense at the quarterback position. He has passed for 2,606 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 66.4 percent completion. Seven players have at least 200 receiving yards this season for the Fighting Irish. Clemson transfer Beaux Collins was the leading receiver with 37 catches for 458 yards and three touchdowns. Jaden Greathouse is now the leading receiver after a big showing in the CFP semifinals. He now has 36 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns.
Two running backs have created a great duo for Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love leads the team with 1,122 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Jadarian Price has been effective with 733 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Leonard has helped out from the quarterback position with his legs, putting up 866 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.
The Fighting Irish defense allows 14.3 points per game, ranking second in the country. They give up 133.0 rushing yards and 165.3 passing yards per game. Jack Kiser has led the team with 85 total tackles this season. Rylie Mills has the team-high with 7.5 sacks, but he was injured in the first round of the CFP. Xavier Watts has been one of the best safeties in the country with nine passes defended and six interceptions.
Prediction
Two great defenses will meet in this game. The difference in the game is the Ohio State offense. They have the playmakers on the outside to pick up big plays and open up the rest of the offense. If the Buckeyes get up early, the Fighting Irish could struggle to keep up.
Ohio State Buckeyes 31 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 14
Make sure to check out our college football page for more content like 2025 National Championship Game Preview!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!