The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game showcased a clash of styles between the methodical Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the explosively efficient Ohio State Buckeyes. While Notre Dame orchestrated a time-consuming opening drive that culminated in a touchdown, setting the stage for a potential grind-it-out affair, Ohio State’s offensive firepower ultimately proved too much to handle. The Buckeyes unleashed a barrage of scoring drives, punctuated by three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter, en route to a 34-23 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This win marked Ohio State’s first national championship since 2015 and solidified their place as the inaugural champions of the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format.
Ohio State’s offensive balance was the key to their dominant performance. Senior quarterback Will Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, efficiently managed the game, completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Complementing Howard’s aerial prowess was the powerful running of junior Quinshon Judkins, an Ole Miss transfer, who amassed 100 yards and three total touchdowns. The Buckeyes’ ability to seamlessly transition between the pass and the run kept the Notre Dame defense off-balance, allowing them to accumulate 214 rushing yards on an impressive 5.2 yards per carry. This two-pronged attack, combined with a 9-for-12 conversion rate on third downs, proved insurmountable for the Fighting Irish, despite a late-game surge that brought them within eight points.
Notre Dame’s initial success with their methodical approach, chewing up nearly 10 minutes of clock on their opening drive, ultimately proved unsustainable against the Buckeyes’ offensive onslaught. While the Fighting Irish mounted a valiant comeback attempt, narrowing the deficit to eight points with less than three minutes remaining, a crucial third-down conversion by freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith sealed their fate. Ohio State’s defense, anchored by transfer Caleb Downs, a former Alabama standout, effectively stifled Notre Dame’s attempts to regain momentum, ultimately securing the victory and the national championship.
The Buckeyes’ triumph represented a significant milestone in the evolving landscape of college football. They became the first champions of the expanded 12-team playoff format, marking a new era for the sport. Furthermore, their victory established the Big Ten’s continued dominance, with Ohio State following in the footsteps of their rivals, the Michigan Wolverines, who claimed the national title the previous season. This back-to-back success for the Big Ten underscores the conference’s strength and its emergence as a powerhouse in the college football world.
The Ohio State Buckeyes’ championship run was a testament to the impact of the transfer portal and the immediate influence of elite high school recruits. In a college football environment increasingly shaped by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the fluidity of player movement through the transfer portal, Ohio State strategically constructed a championship-caliber roster by acquiring key players from other programs. Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins, and Caleb Downs, all transfers seeking greater opportunities and a chance to compete for a national title, became integral pieces of the Buckeyes’ success.
Furthermore, the emergence of freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, a highly touted recruit, proved invaluable in filling the void left by the departure of first-round NFL draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. Smith’s clutch performances throughout the season, including his crucial third-down catch in the championship game, demonstrated his exceptional talent and underscored the importance of recruiting top-tier high school talent. The combination of impactful transfers and elite freshman talent, orchestrated by head coach Ryan Day, propelled Ohio State to their second national championship in a decade and cemented their place in program history.
