College Football Playoff National Championship Odds, Expert Picks, & Best Bets break down the battle between Notre Dame vs. Ohio State.
The stage is set. On Monday, Jan. 20, the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes will clash for college football’s ultimate prize in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Notre Dame’s journey to this moment has been a testament to resilience. The Irish opened the College Football Playoff with commanding wins over Indiana and Georgia before edging past Penn State in a gritty Orange Bowl performance.
Ohio State’s road was no less compelling. Following a devastating loss to Michigan in their regular-season finale, the Buckeyes have stormed back with dominant, double-digit victories over Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas.
These two programs last met in 2022 and 2023, with Ohio State emerging victorious in both contests. Now, the stakes are higher than ever. With the Buckeyes installed as -8.5 favorites, it’s a matchup brimming with history, drama, and destiny.
College Football Playoff National Championship Game Betting Preview
Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Betting Preview
All Notre Dame vs. Ohio State odds are from BetOnline Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
-
Spread
Ohio State -8.5 -
Moneyline
Notre Dame +295, Ohio State -375 -
Over/Under
46.5 points -
Game time
7:30 p.m. ET -
Location
Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA -
Predicted Weather at Kick
66 degrees, clear, 5 mph winds -
How To Watch
ESPN
Ohio State enters the National Championship as the undeniable powerhouse of this year’s College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes dominated their first two games and found clutch moments against Texas to secure a convincing victory. Senior quarterback Will Howard showcased his poise with 289 passing yards and a key 75-yard screen pass to TreVeyon Henderson right before halftime. Jack Sawyer’s electrifying 83-yard scoop-and-score sealed the deal, highlighting Ohio State’s knack for explosive plays on both sides of the ball.
The Buckeyes boast a balanced attack, averaging 35.8 points per game. Howard’s efficiency has been stellar, completing 72.6% of his passes for 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Henderson and Quinshon Judkins have each surpassed 950 rushing yards, giving Ohio State the versatility to challenge any defense. With a defense ranked third in Rush EPA/play, the Buckeyes have covered the spread in four of their last five games and own a 4-1-1 ATS record against Notre Dame.
Notre Dame’s path to the championship has been gritty but lacks Ohio State’s firepower. The Irish have averaged 25.7 points per game but have struggled against elite defenses. In the Orange Bowl, they managed just 2.8 yards per carry against Penn State and 3.4 yards per carry (excluding a single Riley Leonard scramble) against Georgia. Leonard has thrown for 514 yards with a 3/3 TD/INT ratio in the playoffs, a steep decline compared to the quarterbacks Ohio State has recently silenced.
While Notre Dame’s defense may keep things close early, Ohio State’s depth and explosiveness are poised to take over late. Expect Ohio State to wear down the Irish and finish the season as champions.
Prediction: Ohio State 34 – Notre Dame 13
Emeka Egbuka | WR| Ohio State | OVER 55.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
Notre Dame’s defense has been the foundation of its success, thriving on discipline in the red zone and forcing an average of 2.1 takeaways per game. Against an explosive Ohio State offense, the Irish will rely on their ability to disrupt and contain. Jeremiah Smith, the Buckeyes’ dynamic wide receiver with over 1,200 yards on the season, will undoubtedly command their attention. Texas held Smith to just one reception for three yards in the semifinal, and Notre Dame will likely aim to replicate that suffocating coverage.
Emeka Egbuka is the PERFECT slot WR for the modern NFL.
He is a cerebral, technical route runner with reliable hands and savvy ball tracking in traffic.
He has a chance to solidify himself as a first round pick in the National Championship vs. Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/SuF73xwwf9
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 14, 2025
That opens the door for Emeka Egbuka to step into the spotlight. The senior wideout has been a consistent performer, averaging 68 receiving yards in the College Football Playoff. Egbuka delivered with 81 yards against Tennessee and 72 yards against Oregon, narrowly missing three consecutive games above this line after posting 70 against Texas.
When Ohio State finds itself in critical moments, needing a game-changing play or a crucial first down, Egbuka has been the reliable option. His knack for delivering in high-pressure situations makes him a key X-factor in this championship showdown. Expect Egbuka to capitalize on the opportunities created by the Irish’s focus on Smith and shine when the Buckeyes need him most.
Riley Leonard | QB | Notre Dame | OVER 13.5 Rushing Attempts (-110)
The heartbeat of Notre Dame’s offense lies in Riley Leonard’s ability to make plays with his legs. In critical short-yardage situations, the Irish have consistently leaned on Leonard’s strength and decision-making, using quarterback power runs to move the chains and keep drives alive.
With everything on the line in the College Football Playoff National Championship, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock isn’t likely to hold anything back. Leonard carried the ball 18 times against Penn State, 14 times against Georgia, and 11 against Indiana, with his rushing volume increasing as the stakes have risen. His season-long averages don’t fully reflect this trend, leaving room for an impactful performance against Ohio State.
It’s worth noting that sacks count as rush attempts in college football, which adds to Leonard’s total against a fierce Buckeyes defense that ranked 15th nationally in sacks. With Notre Dame’s offensive line already dealing with injuries, Leonard will likely face added pressure, which could inflate his rushing attempts.
Look at Charles Jagusah and Tosh Baker, clearing the way for Riley Leonard on Notre Dame’s first TD last night.
Jagusah tore his pec in August. Baker was benched less than a week later. Incredible how stories like theirs keep happening for the Irish. pic.twitter.com/I00lwh7sfJ
— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) January 10, 2025
As a double-digit underdog, the Fighting Irish will undoubtedly lean on their star quarterback’s ability to create with his feet. With the title on the line, expect Leonard to be a focal point of the game plan, making his rushing over a compelling bet.
Best Bets:
- Ohio State -8.5
- Emeka Egbuka OVER 55.5 Reciveing Yards (-115)
- Riley Leonard OVER 13.5 Rushing Attempts (-110)
