- Ohio State and Notre Dame meet in the CFP National Championship game on Jan. 20
- Notre Dame is 10-0 ATS in their last 10 games
- Check out our early Ohio State vs Notre Dame prediction
The stage is set as the Ohio State Buckeyes will lay it all on the line against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship game. All eyes will be on this monumental showdown on Monday, January 20, as these two storied programs battle for college football supremacy.
Look for our early Ohio State vs Notre Dame prediction and best bets, below.
Early Ohio State vs Notre Dame Prediction
Pick: Under 45.5 (-106)
Stay away from the sides, as these lines get beaten into submission throughout the week. With two elite defenses facing off in the CFP National Championship game, bet the under 45.5 points. Jump on this line early before the Ohio State vs Notre Dame total falls.
Defenses Set to Dominate
Notre Dame’s opportunistic defense came through in the clutch of the CFP semifinals, as cornerback Christian Gray intercepted a wayward Drew Allar pass to hand his offense the victory on a silver platter. The Fighting Irish lead the FBS in takeaways, and will need to generate turnovers in the championship game to overcome Ohio State’s high-powered offense.
Having said that, Ohio State’s defense has stolen the show during the College Football Playoff. Jim Knowles’ unit decimated Oregon’s famously high-octane attack, before stifling Texas in the red zone to power the Buckeyes to victory. Ohio State ranks second in the country in yards per play allowed. Crucially, the Buckeyes held the Longhorns to just 58 rushing yards in the CFP semifinal.
The Buckeyes have surrendered a total of 187 rushing yards in three College Football Playoff games. Knowles’ front consistently won at the point of attack, and disrupted Texas’ blocking schemes. Ultimately, the Buckeyes held Texas running backs to four rushes longer than five yards, and just one rush of more than 10 yards. Ohio State will aim to emulate that performance against Notre Dame’s dominant rushing game.
JACK SAWYER SCOOP-AND-SCORE 😱
Ohio State is one step closer to advancing to the national championship! pic.twitter.com/BPoV5FBRGZ
— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2025
Notre Dame’s success in this contest will hinge on the ability of star running back Jeremiyah Love. The sophomore has rushed for 1,121 yards and 17 touchdowns on 7.1 yards per carry this season. However, he’s battling a knee injury and could be less than 100% for the CFP National Championship.
Unfortunately, starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp suffered a high ankle sprain in the Orange Bowl against Penn State and will miss the National Championship game. To make matters worse, right guard Rocco Spindler also hurt his ankle, and starting receiver Beaux Collins is questionable after injuring his calf. Notre Dame faces an uphill battle to move the football against the elite Buckeyes defense.
Ohio State vs Notre Dame Series History
Ohio State and Notre Dame meet for the third time in the last three seasons, with the Buckeyes coming away with victories in both matchups. In fact, Ohio State has won six straight games against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish last came away with a win in this series way back in 1936.
Kyle McCord led the Buckeyes down the field on a 15-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to win the 2023 encounter 17-14. In the 2022 contest, CJ Stroud orchestrated a 21-10 Ohio State victory.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was a member of the Ohio State team that defeated Notre Dame in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. Freeman was a two-time All-Big Ten linebacker from 2004-2008 under head coach Jim Tressel.
Ohio State vs Notre Dame Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | -8.5 (-106) | -365 | Over 45.5 (-114) |
| Notre Dame | +8.5 (-114) | +285 | Under 45.5 (-106) |
Ohio State are 8.5-point favorites in the college football national championship odds. The total for Ohio State vs Notre Dame is set at 45.5 points.
Take note, 53% of ATS wagers are on the Fighting Irish to cover the 8.5-point spread, with 68% of the money also on Notre Dame in the college football public betting splits. The Buckeyes have gone 6-5 ATS this season as favorites of seven or more points. While Notre Dame is a perfect 2-0 ATS as an underdog.
Odds as of January 13 at FanDuel. Check out the best college football betting apps for Ohio State vs Notre Dame.
As college football fans eagerly await the highly anticipated College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Ohio State and Notre Dame, many are already speculating on which team will come out on top. While both teams have had successful seasons and are deserving of their spot in the championship game, predicting the best early value for this matchup can be a challenging task.
One key factor to consider when predicting the outcome of this game is the performance of each team throughout the season. Ohio State has been dominant on both sides of the ball, with a high-powered offense led by quarterback C.J. Stroud and a stout defense that has shut down some of the best offenses in the country. Notre Dame, on the other hand, has relied on a strong defense and a balanced offensive attack led by quarterback Jack Coan.
Another important factor to consider is the strength of schedule for each team. Ohio State has faced tough competition throughout the season, including wins over top-ranked teams like Michigan and Penn State. Notre Dame has also faced some tough opponents, but their schedule may not have been as challenging as Ohio State’s.
When looking at early betting lines for the championship game, Ohio State is currently favored to win by a significant margin. This could be due to their impressive performance throughout the season and their high-powered offense. However, Notre Dame should not be counted out, as they have proven themselves to be a resilient and talented team.
Ultimately, predicting the best early value for the CFP National Championship Game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will come down to a combination of factors, including team performance, strength of schedule, and betting lines. While Ohio State may be the favorite in this matchup, Notre Dame has the talent and determination to pull off an upset. Fans will have to wait until game day to see which team comes out on top in what is sure to be an exciting and closely contested championship game.