Ohio State and Notre Dame Clash in Historic College Football Playoff Final

ATLANTA, Ga. — Ohio State and Notre Dame, two of college football’s most storied programs, will face off in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game marks a historic meeting between the second- and fourth-winningest programs in college football history, both of which have embraced modern strategies while honoring their rich traditions.

“Think traditionally, but without traditional thinking,” said Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork during Saturday’s media day. The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish have combined for 271 seasons of football, yet both programs have adapted to the evolving landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal to remain competitive.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, 45, has led the Buckeyes to their first national championship appearance in a decade. His team, bolstered by a $20 million NIL-driven talent influx, overcame two regular-season losses to secure their spot in the title game. “We are in this to win games and championships, but also to do right by our players and by those who have spent their lives dedicated to the idea of Ohio State football,” Day said.

Notre Dame, under 39-year-old head coach Marcus Freeman, has also embraced change. The Irish roster includes 10 transfer players, a rarity for a program known for its academic rigor. Quarterback Riley Leonard, a Duke transfer, played a pivotal role in Notre Dame’s semifinal victory over Penn State. “Our everyday walk is spent with one foot firmly planted in our past, but that other foot is always stepping in our future,” Freeman said.

Both programs have navigated the challenges of modern college football while maintaining their identities. Notre Dame’s Jack Swarbrick, who served as athletic director from 2008 to 2024, emphasized the importance of balancing tradition with innovation. “No one would come to Notre Dame just for NIL. It’s too hard. If all you worried about is the compensation, you’ll go get it somewhere else,” Swarbrick said.

Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, now a Fox analyst, highlighted the need for fan support in this new era. “The greatest challenge isn’t changing the minds of the people inside the football building. It’s making the people who support the program understand what needs to be done,” Quinn said.

As the teams prepare for Monday’s showdown, ticket prices have soared, with the cheapest seats on Ticketmaster starting at $1,904 and premium suites reaching $10,000. The game is expected to draw a massive crowd, with fans eager to witness a clash of titans in a sport that continues to evolve.

For Ohio State and Notre Dame, the championship represents more than just a game. It is a testament to their ability to adapt while staying true to their roots. As Freeman put it, “You lose sight of any part of that, and you’ve lost sight of what this all means.”