In a season filled with highs and lows, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have clinched their spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship game, thanks to a thrilling last-second victory against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl. National Coach of the Year Marcus Freeman in only his third year has the Irish in the title game. Here’s how the journey unfolded for Notre Dame.

Notre Dame’s Road to the Final

Notre Dame entered the playoffs at 11-1 as the seventh seed. After a convincing round 1 win over Indiana, the Irish proved they belong on the national stage with a 23-10 win against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. This was Notre Dame’s first major bowl victory in over three decades. This set the stage for their semifinal showdown in the Orange Bowl with Big 10 powerhouse Penn State.

The Orange Bowl was nothing short of a classic. Notre Dame found themselves down 10-0 early and in a tight contest late, with the score tied at 24-24 with just minutes remaining. Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar threw an interception to Notre Dame’s Christian Gray late in the 4th, setting up a critical opportunity for the Irish. Kicker Mitch Jeter then drilled a 41-yard field goal with just eight seconds left, securing a 27-24 victory for Notre Dame.

Cotton Bowl: Ohio State vs. Texas

In the other semifinal, the Cotton Bowl saw an intense battle between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns. Ohio State, seeded eighth, managed to down Texas, the fifth seed, with a score of 28-14. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Ohio State’s defense coming up clutch in the final moments. The big play came when Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer forced a fumble from Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, which he then returned for a touchdown, effectively sealing the game. This victory ensured Ohio State’s advancement to face Notre Dame in Atlanta for the national championship.

Title Game Set

Notre Dame (14-1) and Ohio State (13-2) now prepare for the face-off in Atlanta on January 20. Two historic programs now face each other for the ultimate prize. Notre Dame, under the leadership of head coach Marcus Freeman, has shown they can overcome adversity, particularly with their impressive win over Georgia and their late-game heroics against Penn State. The Irish were all but written off early in the season when they dropped to 1-1 after a shocking loss to NIU. Instead of folding, they have now ripped off a program record 13 straight wins. Freeman also has history with Ohio State, playing linebacker for the Buckeyes where he was on the All-Big 10 team in 2009.

On the other hand, Ohio State (13-2), led by Ryan Day, has demonstrated resilience, bouncing back from a regular season that included losses to Oregon and to Michigan. They responded to make a dominating playoff run to meet the Irish in the title game.

Marcus Freeman and the Irish aim for their first title since legendary coach Lou Holtz and the 1988 team. Notre Dame enters as underdogs, with early betting lines favoring Ohio State by 9.5 points. However, the Fighting Irish have proven throughout the season that they can defy odds and expectations over and over again. This game promises to be an exciting match-up with two National Powerhouse programs. Notre Dame is seeking to rekindle their championship legacy. Ohio State is aiming to add another chapter to their already impressive football history. They will settle the score Monday January 20th.

*Photos courtesy of AI, AP, NFL, SI, CBS, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and NBC. 

“Cowboy Regg” – Co-Host of the “Sons of the Star” Podcast. The podcast is available on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. 

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