Staff Picks: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame in National Championship

This is it. We’ve made it to the 2024-25 college football season finale.

It’s been a wild 21 weeks since the season began, and it all comes to an end on Monday night in Atlanta. Ohio State and Notre Dame will meet for a chance to win the National Championship in the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Before things get underway, the GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game staffs shared their picks for the big game and who they think will win it all.

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George Bagwell: Ohio State has not only played a more difficult path to the championship, but they’ve looked better doing it. The Buckeyes have a better quarterback, running back, defense, and they’re currently playing at a higher level than Notre Dame. If there’s an advantage to be had for the Irish, they’ve got a better head coach. I am 90% sure that I’ve got the worst pick percentage out of Gamecock Central this year so y’all take this with a few grains of salt. Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 14.

Peyton Butt: It’s going to be a close game for both quarterbacks with strong defenses. But I think Ohio State will have the ability to pull it off. Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10.

Elijah Campbell: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 17.

Chris Clark: Both of these teams are playing very well, but I think Ohio State’s even more talented and has even more explosive potential offensively. I expect a competitive, hard-fought game, but it’s hard to pick against the Buckeyes, with how they’re playing. Ohio State 27, Notre Dame 20.

Terry Ford: I think Notre Dame will hang around for a while but Ohio State is just better on both sides of the ball. The Irish play a lot of man D and that means the Buckeye wideouts might have big days. I just don’t see how Notre Dame will be able to score enough on that OSU defense. The Irish need to force turnovers in the Ohio State red zone, win the middle eight and score touchdowns to have a chance. Ohio State 27, Notre Dame 17.

[Win tickets: South Carolina-LSU WBB]

Griffin Goodwyn: Notre Dame has put together one of its strongest seasons in recent memory. Its lone blemish of the campaign was an early loss to Northern Illinois in South Bend; this defeat kickstarted the longest active win streak in FBS (13 games). But Ohio State’s plethora of options on offense (Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Quinshon Judkins) and elite defense, especially in the red zone, will be enough for the Buckeyes to claim their second-ever CFP championship over the Fighting Irish. Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 23.

Tyler Head: We all know that Ohio State has the most talented roster in the nation and they’ve flexed it in the playoffs. Notre Dame is physical and I think that can allow them to hang around for a while, but I think the Buckeye’s fire power proves to be too much. Ohio State 27, Notre Dame 17.

Wes Mitchell: Since its inexplicable loss to Michigan, Ohio State has played the best ball of anyone in the country. Chip Kelly has been in sync with his quarterback and while Notre Dame has a great defense, the Buckeyes have too many weapons to stop them for an entire game. I don’t know that the Irish’s offense can do enough to keep pace with an OSU offense that will eventually get its yards. It would take a very specific script (turnovers, special teams plays, red zone dominance) for Notre Dame to win this one. Playing the percentages, OSU has to be the pick. Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 17.

Jay Philips: Both of these teams are playing elite defense in this tournament, but I think Ohio State has the guys on offense that will make the difference. In a close one I’ve got Ohio State 23, Notre Dame 16.

Kendall Smith: I think Ohio State has the overall better team here. There just seems to be more star power, and I have been so incredibly impressed by Jeremiah Smith all season. I expect the freshman to have a spectacular game tonight too. Honestly, I just hope both teams have fun and make it a competitive game. Also, can I just say I wish this game was played on a weekend?!! But anyway, let’s go with Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 17. 

[Win tickets: South Carolina-Florida MBB]

Mike Uva: Growing up as a Notre Dame fan, 12-year-old Mike would be on cloud nine right now for this matchup. But those days have been gone for over a decade. I’ll be pulling for Mitch Jeter to play well, but if Ohio State plays the way they have this postseason, it’ll be tough for the Irish to pull off the upset. Ohio State 24, Notre Dame 20. 

Jack Veltri: While I know Ohio State is clearly the better team in this game, I have to pick against the Buckeyes for the sake of having a shot at first place in Staff Picks. So I’m rocking with Notre Dame. But in reality, I do think there is a path for the Irish to get it done. Ohio State’s offense is absolutely loaded, but Notre Dame’s defense presents a tough challenge. As long as the Irish can keep it close and not fall behind by more than one score, I can see their offense finding a way to win the game in the late going. Should be a good one tonight. Notre Dame 26, Ohio State 24.

Chris Wellbaum: Notre Dame wants to shorten the game and make it a grind-it-out affair, but Ohio State has too many explosive playmakers who can turn any play into a long touchdown. However, I’m also a nervous wreck because with so much time between games, the Buckeyes have time to feel the pressure and get tight again. Ohio State 24, Notre Dame 20.

Kevin Miller: The Buckeyes pass rush will make life difficult on Riley Leonard and the Notre Dame offense. In that difficulty, if Ohio State can force some turnovers, they will win this game. Notre Dame has the defense capable of slowing the Buckeyes skill position players, but that won’t matter if their own offense can’t score. Ryan Day’s team hasn’t allowed more than 17 points all season to anyone other than Oregon. Look for that trend to continue with a lower-scoring (but comfortable) victory on Monday night. Ohio State 24, Notre Dame 14.

[Win tickets: South Carolina-Auburn WBB]

Current standings	Games Back
Terry Ford (109-45)	—
Jack Veltri (108-46)	1 GB
Griffin Goodwyn (107-47)	2 GB
Jay Philips (103-51)	6 GB
Mike Uva (101-53)	8 GB
Elijah Campbell (101-53)	8 GB
Wes Mitchell (100-54)	9 GB
Tyler Head (94-60)	15 GB
Kendall Smith (90-64)	19 GB
Chris Clark (89-65)	20 GB
Chris Wellbaum (89-65)	20 GB
Peyton Butt (85-69)	24 GB
George Bagwell (84-70)	25 GB
Kevin Miller (79-30)*	30 GB

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