By AP National Writer EDDIE PELLS
In college football this season, two unexpected defeats distinguished out from the others. One of them happened to Notre Dame. The other is Ohio State.
Those defeats may have eliminated both teams from the race for a national championship in previous years. Those two clubs will compete in the 12-team playoffs, which are being introduced this year.
The Buckeyes defeated Texas 28–14 on Friday night, securing a date with the Fighting Irish in Atlanta on January 20. Since losing to Michigan 13-10 in November, Ohio State has not suffered a defeat.
Notre Dame hasn’t lost since losing 16–14 to Northern Illinois in September, and they defeated Penn State on Thursday.
Ohio State is aiming for its first College Football Playoff since the four-team playoff’s inception in 2014, as well as their sixth AP national championship and ninth overall. This is Notre Dame’s first championship since 1988, yet it is their 12th overall.
After winning the title six of the previous eight years, the Southeastern Conference will be eliminated from the final for the second consecutive year in this Big Ten vs. independent showdown.
According to BetMGM, Ohio State is a 9 1/2-point favorite at the start. Ohio State leads the series 6-2 and has won meetings in 2022 and 2023.
As both clubs started the kind of comeback that might not have been feasible in previous years, the losses this season helped set the tone.
According to Marcus Freeman, the coach of Notre Dame, who will become the first Black coach to win the national championship, “you’re tested the most when you’re at your lowest point.” You have to decide if you want to be unselfish after we lose against Northern Illinois. Or will I choose my own glory over everyone else’s?
The Michigan game, according to Ohio State coach Ryan Day, is what life is all about.
Adversity is a necessary part of life, and how you respond to it defines your life. These people are currently learning valuable lessons, Day stated.
Both quarterbacks, Riley Leonard of Notre Dame and Will Howard of Ohio State, are in their debut seasons at their respective institutions after logging onto the transfer site following the previous year.