The primary group to hoist the trophy within the 12-team School Soccer Playoff period might be decided Monday evening as Ohio State and Notre Dame face off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It’s a rematch of a 2023 regular-season thriller, which Ohio State gained 17-14.
This sport may observe the same low-scoring script in what guarantees to be a bruising battle between elite defenses. Nevertheless, every offense additionally boasts an explosive potential that would carry a dynamic ingredient lacking from final 12 months’s slugfest.
Ohio State boasts a trio of star receivers led by freshman Jeremiah Smith. Distributing the ball might be quarterback Will Howard, who has elevated his play within the postseason. Notre Dame counters with dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard, who has scored 16 touchdowns speeding and thrown for 19 extra.
Leonard will look to steer the Preventing Irish to their first nationwide championship since 1988. A win for Ohio State would mark its first title since 2014, when the Buckeyes grew to become the inaugural champions of the four-team CFP format.
CBS Sports activities might be with you Monday evening with reside protection of Ohio State vs. Notre Dame within the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship. Observe alongside for rating updates, evaluation and highlights from the nationwide championship sport.
The way to watch nationwide championship 2025
Sport: 2025 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship
Date: Monday, Jan. 20 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia
TV: ESPN | Stay stream: fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime)
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: Alternate viewing choices
- Discipline Move with Pat McAfee Present — ESPN2, fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime)
- Command Middle — ESPNU, fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime)
- Skycast — ESPNEWS, fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime)
- Hometown radio (Georgia) — SEC Community, fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime)
- All-22, Ohio State hometown radio, Notre Dame hometown radio, halftime band performances and extra accessible through ESPN’s app
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame storylines
Ohio State: The outlook was bleak for Ohio State lower than two months in the past following a demoralizing residence loss to archrival Michigan in its regular-season finale. That listless 13-10 defeat knocked the Buckeyes out of the Large Ten Championship Sport and ratcheted up the strain on sixth-year head coach Ryan Day. It appeared Day was on the verge of squandering the potential of a loaded roster buoyed by key switch additions and the return of a number of draft-eligible stars.
Nevertheless, the Buckeyes discovered a brand new gear within the CFP, beginning with dominant victories over Tennessee and Oregon earlier than a gritty 28-14 win towards Texas within the Cotton Bowl semifinal. With veteran management and future NFL gamers on either side of the ball, Ohio State enters the title sport with no clear weaknesses, particularly as its offensive line has delivered strong performances all through the postseason.
Notre Dame: Notre Dame suffered a surprising 16-14 residence loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2, placing its aspirations doubtful and elevating questions on this system’s long-term viability underneath third-year head coach Marcus Freeman. Since then, the Preventing Irish have been a group on a mission. With a reinvigorated offense led by Leonard’s dynamic potential, Notre Dame has rattled off 13 straight victories to make its first nationwide championship sport look since a 42-14 loss to Alabama within the BCS Championship Sport on the finish of the 2012 season.
The protection has performed a key position as properly, regardless of season-ending accidents to star cornerback Benjamin Morrison and prime inside defender Rylie Mills. Postseason play has added injury-related challenges for the offense, with prime operating again Jeremiyah Love battling a knee ailment. The Irish additionally misplaced two offensive linemen of their Orange Bowl semifinal win over Penn State.
Regardless of these setbacks, Notre Dame has met every wave of adversity with grit, elevating Freeman’s teaching inventory.
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame prediction, decide
Ohio State confirmed its full potential in blowout victories over Tennessee, crushing two high quality opponents with dominance on either side of the ball. Notre Dame’s path has relied on forcing key turnovers, executing on particular groups, and making well timed performs from an offense that’s strong however not overly explosive. The Preventing Irish are the extra injury-depleted group and might want to stroll a high-quality line to maintain this sport shut late. Anticipate the Buckeyes to drag away within the second half and cap a dominant playoff run with one closing elite efficiency. Choose: Ohio State +8.5 | Ohio State 24, Notre Dame 13
Who wins Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, and which facet of the unfold hits over 60% of the time? Go to SportsLine now to seek out out, all from the mannequin that has simulated this sport 10,000 instances.
