SportsLine's model simulated Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 CFP National Championship game 10,000 times

Normally, Locks of the Week eases into the slate of games. Not this week. After going unbeaten with our CFB picks against the spread in the quarterfinals

After defeating Texas in the 2025 Cotton Bowl, Ohio State advanced to the 2025 College Football Championship game vs. Notre Dame. Here's how to watch.

No one is going to mistake blue bloods Notre Dame and Ohio State for a Cinderella, but the winner of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship will complete one of the greatest redemption arcs in modern college football history.

OSU’s devastating offense ranks Top 10 on each side of the ball in success rate, EPA/play and marginal efficiency. The main areas of weakness on offense are the Ohio State O-line’s ability to handle extra rushers, ranking 78th with a 9.2% blitz down sack rate, and a somewhat elevated 10.2% blown run block rate that checks in at 94th nationally.

Either Ohio State or Notre Dame will not just be a worthy champion, but one that deserves recognition for surviving a gauntlet of four playoff games.

Ohio State plays Notre Dame in the Playoff championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night. BetMGM Sportsbook listed Ohio State as an 8.5-point favorite on Wednesday, down a point from the opening line.