Ohio State vs Notre Dame: Lou Holtz makes 2025 national title game prediction

Notre Dame and Ohio State are set to meet in a rematch of a 2023 meeting that proved contentious for more than one reason, following a now-famous back and forth between Lou Holtz and Ryan Day.

Holtz had suggested before the game that the Fighting Irish would win because they were more physical than Buckeyes, questioning the toughness of the Big Ten program after some failures in big games.

Ohio State won 17-14.

Then Ryan Day called out Lou Holtz. Publicly. On national television.

This time around, Lou Holtz’ pregame commentary has been a little more restrained. He’s still picking his Fighting Irish to win, but this time he seems to be anticipating a closer game.

“When you look at it, Ohio State is the best team,” Holtz said, according to The Columbus Dispatch. “They have an explosive offense and their defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) has done a tremendous job. They’re something like a nine-point favorite. However, in a one-game, winner-take-all, anything can happen.

“I like Notre Dame’s culture. They’re very physical, but they have to keep it close by forcing Ohio State’s offense off the field.”

That’s a far cry from the previous comments, when Lou Holtz suggested in part he didn’t believe in Day because of his record in big games. Now, Ohio State has sent the top seed in the playoff home packing, while also dispatching a pair of SEC teams.

It’s a different backdrop entirely.

But that also comes with some challenges, Lou Holtz noted.

“That puts pressure on Ohio State, which is used to winning and winning big,” he said. “Ohio State is the better team, but I think Notre Dame finds a way to prevail. It’s going to take a big effort.”

As for the relationship between Ryan Day and Lou Holtz, it still appears the two are a little at odds.

Day was asked recently if he and Holtz have patched things up or talked them over since the comments back in the fall of 2023, and the Ohio State coach noted he has not been in contact with the former Notre Dame coach.

“Speaking of that, I’m just curious, have you and Lou Holtz ever talked since then, either patching things up or comments between you two,” a reporter asked Day during Sunday’s CFP webinar.

“No,” Day said, keeping it short.

The results in the national title game, of course, will speak quite loudly. One way or another.