Valentina Martinez: The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish are set to face off in the College Football Playoff National Championship. This game is a tale of two defenses, but Ohio State will take home the glory. Ricardo Sandoval: The championship match is as highly profiled as one can be while also being one that no one expected.

Notre Dame doesn't have a chance, right? There's a reason those win probability analytics are so dumb. Everyone always has a chance to win. You actually have to play the game instead of paying attention to some arbitrary numbers.

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) is tackled by Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., bottom left, and defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. AP Photo/Gareth Patterson