The CFP National Championship is finally set after 4 long months of college football. Notre Dame faces off against Ohio State, with both of them hoping to end their historic seasons holding the trophy. Each team has had their fair share of trials, with Ohio State's coach Ryan day looking like he would be fired the minute the season ended, and now in a prime position to do what Ohio State has not done since 2014: Win a National Championship.

 

Notre Dame, meanwhile, looked like a shell of its former self after a devastating loss against NIU, a team that came from the MAC. Yes, the MAC people, a conference that the average college football fan likely could not name a single team from (outside of NIU now, that is). But the Irish kept fighting, all the way to the National Championship against a team with a story line just as exciting as theirs.  

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Both teams will face each other in Atlanta next Monday. Notre Dame will likely be without star linebacker Riley Mills as well as multiple starting offensive linemen (so is the disadvantage of playing 3 close games in the playoffs). Ohio State, meanwhile, does not have any major injuries to their starting lineup and will likely be prepared as far as roster goes. Gameplan wise, each team is difficult to read due to their completely different paths to the playoffs; one of overwhelming dominance and another of tight, high stakes environments. 

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​The main highlight of the​ show for Ohio State will obviously be star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. It's absolutely insane how a true freshman is the best receiver in the country, and by a decent margin at that. Not only is he a great receiver, but he his running mate Emeke Egbuka is just as big of a threat as a receiver. This Ohio State team is overflowing with talent and, by all accounts, should tear Notre Dame's defense apart.

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Ohio State isn't the only team with talent, however. Notre Dame bolsters a defense just as dangerous as Ohio States offense, led by star safety Xavier Watts. Beyond being a talented team, head coach Marcus Freemen has slowly built a culture at Notre Dame that has put them in a position to win a title just 3 years after his hiring as head coach (I'm sure Notre Dame fans are not missing Brian Kelly right now).

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Despite this matchup being extremely exciting on the surface, it hasn't stopped people from hating as they always do rather than appreciating what should, by all accounts, be the game of the year (in this case Lou Holtz). Overall though, there seems to be much analysis going on and an attempt to understand what each teams game plan will be.​

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​All that being said, this should be an excellent matchup between 2 powerhouse teams, both of which have a lot to fight for. This isn't your routine Georgia v. Alabama National Championship, and it should likely be a great game this Monday. Ryan Day has his job likely on the line, and Notre Dame is in a position that they have not been in since 2012. ​​​​​​Ohio State is coming in as the betting favorite at (-8). Studies show that Notre Dame is the people's favorite to win the title in nearly every state outside of Ohio and West Virginia (for some reason). 

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3 Keys to Winning:

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Ohio State:

• Attack through the air -- Despite Notre Dame's defensive talent, they likely will not be able to keep up with Jeremiah Smith or Egbuka by any measure

• Don't put the ball on the ground with Will Howard -- Notre Dame has shut down the QB sneak and run game in every opponent they have faced these playoffs thus far and it is simply not reliable enough against them

• Defensively, force Riley Leonard to beat them with throws -- His run game is lethal, but his passing game is inconsistent and they must take advantage of that fact

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Notre Dame:

• The game must be won at the goal line -- Ohio State's goal line defense has been excellent all year, and Jeremiyah Love and Riley Leonard can hopefully be the ones to finally get past it​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Explosive plays and keeping pace with Ohio State is a requirement -- Oregon lost all rhythm after going down 20 to OSU, and Notre Dame needs to make sure the game never gets too far away from them

• Play the long game like you have -- Notre Dame has never gotten ahead of themselves in any game they have played these playoffs, and they cannot by any measure now -- The key is to bend, not break, and if points may be given up then so be it