Paul Finebaum: Ohio State 'easily' needs National Championship more than Notre Dame

This season’s National Championship Game is pitting two traditional powers in Ohio State and Notre Dame against one another. It’s a matchup that both sides, naturally, want to win but one that analyst Paul Finebaum says is more important for the Buckeyes to win.

While making an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Finebaum explained that Ohio State easily needs to win the national championship more because of the context to how their seasons have gone.

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“I think the answer is easily Ohio State,” Paul Finebaum said. “To me, Notre Dame has already won and I know that sounds counter to the history of the school, which is as large and as vast as any in America, but Ohio State has just been knocking on the door.”

The expectations around Notre Dame were mixed in September. Many felt the Irish would be competitive to make the College Football Playoff. However, a national championship seemed like a stretch, especially after losing to Northern Illinois.

On the other hand, coming into the season, Ohio State was one of the favorites nationally and the Buckeyes were widely considered to have one of the most talented rosters in the sport. However, two Big Ten losses, including a fourth-straight loss to Michigan, made for a frustrating regular season. Still, it was good enough to make the expanded College Football Playoff and go on a deep run.

“They started the season as the most talented team. They’ve been the most talked about team because of Ryan Day and the loss to Michigan in mid-November,” Finebaum said. “So, I think a win there would validate all the things that have gone into it. A win for Notre Dame would not so much be icing because I don’t think Notre Dame fans are just content to be there, but I don’t think it’s quite as important.”

Neither Notre Dame nor Ohio State had a first round bye in the expanded Playoff format. They both had to win three Playoff games to get to this point, with the Irish beating Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes beat Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas along the way. For Finebaum, the Irish exceeded expectations by getting to this point through that format but the Buckeyes are where they’re supposed to be, making the difference in regards to who needs this game more.

Kickoff for the National Championship Game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST in Atlanta on Monday, January 20th.