How to watch Ohio State vs. Notre Dame in College Football National Championship on Monday
After an exhilarating three rounds of college football postseason action, we have reached the moment to declare a national champion — the inaugural title of the 12-team College Football Playoff era. The eighth seed/No. 6 Ohio State will face the seventh seed/No. 5 Notre Dame in the 2025 CFP National Championship game. Here’s how you […]
After an exhilarating three rounds of college football postseason action, we have reached the moment to declare a national champion — the inaugural title of the 12-team College Football Playoff era.
The eighth seed/No. 6 Ohio State will face the seventh seed/No. 5 Notre Dame in the 2025 CFP National Championship game. Here’s how you can catch the action.
Where to watch, stream, and listen to Ohio State vs. Notre Dame
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET, Jan. 20; Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA
Where to watch: ESPN
Here are the announcers for the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame game:
Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analysis), Holly Rowe (sideline)
Stream: Fubo, ESPN App
Radio: Locally in Ohio on WBNS-FM/AM (97.1/1460).
On the call: Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (analysis), Clay Hall (sideline)
Both teams have encountered distinct challenges on their way to the championship game.
Seven weeks ago, Ohio State suffered a narrow defeat to rival Michigan, losing 13-10. This marked Ryan Day's fourth consecutive loss to the Wolverines, prompting many to call for his job.
The defeat eliminated Ohio State from the Big Ten championship game, and the Buckeyes did not play again until their matchup on December 21 against Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff (CFP).
However, Ohio State arrived ready to compete, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and ultimately winning decisively, 42-17.
Next, Ohio State faced its most formidable postseason challenger in the undefeated top-ranked Oregon. Earlier in the season, the Ducks had edged the Buckeyes in a thrilling game, 32-31. Yet, on the Rose Bowl stage, Ohio State proved to be a different team, dominating the first half and outscoring Oregon 34-8.
The Buckeyes secured a 41-21 victory in Pasadena. Most recently, in the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State took on Texas. Although this semifinal matchup was closer than the previous two, the Buckeyes still claimed a comfortable 28-14 win, thanks to Jack Sawyer’s heroics in the fourth quarter, earning them a spot in the championship game.
Much has transformed for Ohio State in just seven weeks, as Ryan Day, who was reeling after the loss to Michigan, now finds himself just 60 minutes away from claiming his first championship title.
For Notre Dame, the challenges arose earlier in the season. The Irish suffered a disappointing loss to Northern Illinois, 16-14, in Week 2. This defeat lingered in their minds for weeks, but they have since silenced the critics with 13 consecutive wins.
In the first round of the CFP, Notre Dame easily dispatched in-state rival Indiana, winning 27-17. They then faced Georgia in the quarterfinals, with the Bulldogs well-rested following a first-round bye. In that game, Riley Leonard threw for a touchdown, and Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff for 98 yards, leading the Irish to a 23-10 victory over the powerful Bulldogs.
Notre Dame then met Penn State in the Orange Bowl, which proved to be their toughest challenge yet. In a tightly contested game with back-and-forth action, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw a critical interception with just 33 seconds remaining, allowing the Irish to regain possession.
This set up Mitch Jeter to kick the game-winning 41-yard field goal. About four months after their setback against Northern Illinois, Notre Dame secured their place in the championship game with a 27-24 win.
Now, two teams that have experienced some of the season's most significant setbacks have the opportunity to compete for the highest title on the grandest stage of college football.
