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Marcus Freeman asked which team he wants to face in national championship

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•about 9 hours•

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. (Photo by Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

As Notre Dame celebrated its Orange Bowl victory Thursday night, Jeremiyah Love made it clear he wanted another shot at Ohio State. The Buckeyes will take on Texas in Friday’s Cotton Bowl, hoping to set up a date with the Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff national championship.

When presented the opportunity to say the same thing, Love’s head coach deflected it. Marcus Freeman – a former Ohio State captain – opted not to make a prediction for Friday’s game during an appearance on ESPN College GameDay.

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Unlike Love, Freeman chose to keep his preference to himself when asked about the Cotton Bowl matchup. He instead wants to enjoy the game before diving into preparation for whichever team comes out on top.

“You know what? In these three years of being a head coach, I’ve learned sometimes it’s better just to be quiet and to not give your opinion,” Freeman said. “There’s nothing good about saying what I think the results of today’s game will be. So I’m just going to keep that quiet and I’m looking forward to enjoying this game here in a little bit.”

Of course, a matchup with Ohio State would add another storyline to the national championship, in addition to the fact Marcus Freeman played there under Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes went into Notre Dame Stadium in September 2023 got a 1-yard touchdown run from Chip Trayanum to seal a 17-14 victory. However, the Fighting Irish only had 10 players on the field – and one day later, Freeman promised On3’s Andy Staples he’d learn from that sequence.

The players still remember that play, as well. That’s why Love made it clear he wants another shot at Ohio State considering the momentum Notre Dame has and the heightened stakes in the national title game.

“We want to play Ohio State,” Love said after Notre Dame defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday. “We lost to them last year in a game we should have won.”

Of course, that 10-men play is just one reason Love said he wants Ohio State to win. He, quite simply, thinks the Buckeyes are better than Texas.

“I want to play the best team,” Love said. “I feel like Ohio State is better than Texas. I want to play the best and win.”