Ohio State Eyes Ninth National Title in Historic Showdown Against Notre Dame

ATLANTA, Ga. — Ohio State, one of college football’s most storied programs, will face Notre Dame on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with a chance to claim its ninth national championship. The Buckeyes, currently 13-2 this season, are looking to add another chapter to their illustrious history, which includes eight claimed national titles.

The 2024 season has been another memorable one for Ohio State, marked by three multi-possession victories in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes’ journey to the championship game has been fueled by a mix of talent, tradition, and resilience. “I think in that moment that kind of gave us a little spark,” said one player, reflecting on the team’s response to a regular-season loss. “It made us want to go harder and realize, okay, like that was super disrespectful.”

Ohio State’s eight national championships place them fifth among FBS programs, trailing only Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, and USC. The Buckeyes’ most recent title came in 2014 under coach Urban Meyer, during the inaugural four-team College Football Playoff. This year, they aim to replicate that success in the debut of the expanded 12-team playoff format.

The Buckeyes’ championship history is a blend of poll-era titles and modern playoff victories. The Dispatch recognizes six of Ohio State’s eight titles — 1942, 1954, 1957, 1968, 2002, and 2014. The 2014 championship, in particular, bears striking similarities to this year’s campaign, with both titles coming in the first year of a new playoff format and featuring dominant wins against higher-seeded Oregon teams.

Head coach Ryan Day has been a focal point of the Buckeyes’ redemption narrative this season. After a disappointing loss to Michigan in the regular-season finale, Day faced intense scrutiny. “He admitted over the weekend that he told the team I screwed up. I’m sorry, we will correct it, and that’s exactly what he has done,” said ESPN’s Paul Finebaum. “Ryan Day winning this thing is very remarkable as well considering where he was just six weeks ago.”

As Ohio State prepares to take on Notre Dame, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A victory would not only secure their ninth national championship but also solidify their place among college football’s elite programs. For the Buckeyes, Monday night represents more than just a game — it’s an opportunity to etch their names into the annals of college football history.