The college football season is coming to an end, with only one game remaining to determine the national champion. The Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will compete for the College Football Playoff national championship Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
According to ESPN BET, Ohio State enters the game as an 8-point favorite.
SEC college football analyst Paul Finebaum discussed the contest on the most recent episode of “The Matt Barrie Show.”
While Finebaum expressed admiration for the Fighting Irish and their accomplishments, which include a 13-game winning streak entering the national championship game, he feels a blowout is on the horizon.
Finebaum stated that he “cannot imagine” Notre Dame upsetting the Big Ten powerhouse, thus predicting Ohio State will win the national championship and lift the trophy.
“I cannot imagine Notre Dame winning the game,” Finebaum added. “I just cannot. I do not see it. I believe Notre Dame is solid. Their special teams are terrific, but Ohio State is fantastic all-around. “If they play at a high level, this game is not close.”
Ohio State’s 2024 regular season concluded with a crushing defeat to rival Michigan. The Buckeyes also lost to Oregon during the regular season, with both losses underlining fans’ doubts about the team’s ability to win a national championship.
Despite erratic play during the regular season, the Buckeyes have trounced all of their CFP opponents. OSU defeated Tennessee 42-17 in the first round, then beat Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl and Texas 28-14 in the semifinals.
The Buckeyes have shown to be the deepest squad in college football, with players on both sides of the field, including quarterback Will Howard and freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on offense, and defensive end Jack Sawyer and cornerback Denzel Burke on defense.
While Notre Dame has been successful in the postseason, defeating Penn State, Georgia, and Indiana, the Buckeyes appear to be on their own pedestal.
