The College Football Playoff National Championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame is set to be one for the ages—or maybe not, if you’re predicting a blowout like I am. The Buckeyes enter this matchup poised to dismantle the Irish, with a high-octane offense and a defense that’s hitting its stride at exactly the right time. Here’s why Ohio State will win—and win big.

Monday. 😤 #CFBPlayoff #OhioState #NotreDame @FansFirstSN pic.twitter.com/QiGeppLiU6

— At The Office (@TheOfficeCLE) January 16, 2025

1. Notre Dame’s Defensive Scheme Won’t Hold Up
Notre Dame’s preference for man-to-man defense has worked well for them against lesser opponents, but it’s a recipe for disaster against Ohio State’s elite wide receiver corps. Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate have consistently shown they can torch even the best defensive backs in the country. If Notre Dame sticks to their usual game plan, expect Howard to pick apart the Irish secondary with ease.

If Notre Dame tries to adjust by switching to a zone or zone-blitz defense, they’ll face another problem: getting pressure on Howard. The Buckeyes’ offensive line has been stellar this postseason, and without consistent pressure, Notre Dame’s zone will crumble. Notre Dame’s best chance is to force mistakes and turnovers, but that requires a level of perfection that’s hard to achieve against this Ohio State team.

2. Jack Sawyer is Unstoppable
On the defensive side, look for Jack Sawyer to continue his dominant playoff run. The Buckeyes’ star defensive end has already cemented his legacy with a strip-scoop-and-score against Texas in the semifinals—a play that will go down as one of the greatest in Ohio State history. Sawyer has been an unstoppable force, and there’s no reason to believe Notre Dame’s offensive line can contain him. If he can disrupt Notre Dame’s run game and apply pressure on Riley Leonard, the Irish offense will struggle to find any rhythm.

3. Notre Dame Needs Perfection (and a Little Luck)
For Notre Dame to have any chance, they’ll need to play a flawless game and force Ohio State to beat themselves. That means capitalizing on penalties, stalling Buckeye drives, and keeping Ohio State’s defense on the field for as long as possible. They’ll also need to dominate the time of possession and keep the Buckeyes’ offense watching from the sidelines. While this is theoretically possible, it’s a tall order against a team as talented and disciplined as Ohio State.

Prediction: Buckeyes Roll to a Blowout Victory
Ohio State is simply too talented, too well-coached, and too motivated to let this one slip away. Notre Dame may have the “culture,” but culture doesn’t win games—talent and execution do. The Buckeyes’ ability to exploit Notre Dame’s defensive scheme, coupled with their relentless pass rush led by Sawyer, will prove too much for the Irish to handle.

Final Score Prediction: Ohio State 42, Notre Dame 17

Buckeye Nation, get ready to celebrate championship number nine!