After more than 4 months of college football, the championship game is set between 14-1 Notre Dame and the 13-2 Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams have proven now to be the most dangerous teams in all of college football. Notre Dame lost their second game of the year to Northern Illinois 16-14 and never turned back winning their next 13 straight games including wins against Indiana and #2 ranked Georgia in the sugar bowl.
Ohio State on the other hand had a much different way to the top. After losing to #1 Oregon in the middle of the season, people had doubts if they were built for the big moment. After a crucial loss to an unranked Michigan team late in the season, Ohio State looked to be in a rough spot. They proved everyone otherwise with two decisive wins in the playoffs against #7 Tennessee and #1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
The brand new 12 team playoff gave many more teams a shot to make a run to the trophy. Surprisingly, the top 4 seeds all with first round byes, were eliminated in their first game of contention. Including fourth seed Arizona State who lost an overtime nailbiter to #5 Texas 39-31. 1st seed and title favorite Oregon also took a surprising loss to sixth seed Ohio State in the rose bowl 21-41. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard had a great game throwing for three touchdowns and zero interceptions along with 319 yards in the air. Freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith also had an amazing game 187 yards and two of Howard’s three touchdowns.
“I think Jeremiah Smith has taken the next step during the playoffs and is rising to the next level, solidifying himself as the top receiving threat in the playoffs,” junior Peter Geittman said.
With the addition to the new bracket, comes a lot of controversy on who should and shouldn’t have made the playoffs. Everyone has their own opinion but many people believe that 11 seed SMU should not have made the playoffs.
“I think SMU should not have made the playoffs, they had a cupcake schedule and were 0-3 against ranked teams all year,” freshman Becket Lisowski said.
With the championship game set for Monday January 20th at 7:30 pm eastern time in the Mercedes Benz dome in Atlanta Georgia, everyone is making their pick for the winner. Ohio State currently are 8 point favorites but that’s not stopping people from counting out the irish.
“Riley Leonards rushing ability is the reason Notre Dame is gonna win it all. It’s impossible to game plan for a dual threat quarterback like him. Notre Dame by 10,” senior Dylan Campeau said.
