TSB Staff Picks: Ohio State takes on Notre Dame in the National Championship to crown the first champion of the 12-team era.
Dave: Irish 21-20
Blake: Ohio State vs Notre Dame is one of the great blue blood matchups the sport can muster even though they have not played much historically. It may be the most watched National Championship Game of all time because of the matchup itself and having the two largest fanbases in College Football.
Ohio State needs to be aggressive and play its game down the field. If the Irish run man coverage, expect the Buckeyes to get creative. Chip Kelly will find ways to get Jeremiah Smith the ball, but I expect Emeka Egbuka to lead the WRs in this one. Quinshon Judkins will be the featured back while TreVeyon Henderson splits time in the backfield and being utilized in the passing game. Will Howard needs to be sharp and use his legs against a talented Notre Dame defense.
On the other hand, the Irish need to muddy the waters and drag Ohio State into a slow rock fight. The Irish also have to find success running the football with both RBs and Riley Leonard. Notre Dame’s QB is their X-factor. Ultimately, the Buckeyes outlast the Irish and win an incredibly hard fought game.
Ryan Day gets his first National Title, capping off an improbable postseason run. Ohio State 28 Notre Dame 17
Dan: Buckeyes and the Irish get into a slugfest the first half. Notre Dame takes an early lead, but the Buckeyes turn on the jets in the 3rd quarter. The defense sells out and stops the run forcing Riley Leonard to win the game through the air. The Ohio State secondary forces a critical turnover which ends up being the turning point of the game. The Buckeyes win 35-17 in a game that is much closer than the score shows at the end!
Cass: This is it the one we all have been waiting for. A chance to win a national championship. The seniors that decided to come back will their legacy be finished with a National Championship I thinks so! I think this game will be a hard fought game on both sides of the ball. Will Howard will have the best game of his career. Defensively, the Buckeyes get it done. I think they stop the run and Lane and High will be partying through the night after Ohio State wins 27-17.
Carson H: This Ohio State Senior class has powered the Buckeyes and led them to their ultimate goal: winning a National Championship. This playoff run has been historic in more ways than one, and they have made Buckeye fans everywhere proud.
The same goes for Notre Dame. They, too, suffered a historic loss as big favorites but benefited from the expanded playoff. Both teams have been playing some of their best football in the playoffs and must be on their A-game Monday night. I think the Buckeyes move the ball enough to score some points and continue to play exceptional defense, stopping the run and forcing a turnover or two. Notre Dame does not have the athletes that Ohio State does and has had some key injuries.
The Ohio State Buckeyes win, cover, and lift the first-ever 12-team National Championship trophy in front of Buckeye Nation in Atlanta, Georgia, for their first title since 2014. Jack Sawyer, Emeka Egbuka, Donovan Jackson, and all the other Buckeyes that returned finish the job in a fairytale ending for this group, program, and city. Ohio State 31 Notre Dame 14
Carson M: The one we’ve all been waiting for… the question is can Ryan Day keep this consistency through a long stretch of games. I’m here to tell you YES. Ohio State plays to their strength and keeps the ball on the perimeter of the field. The Buckeyes face some early tests but ultimately find some scores before the first half ends. The 2nd half starts the same as the first ends and the Bucks run away with this one 31-17.
AJ: 24-20 Buckeyes
Gabe: 30-20 Buckeyes
