This year, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) changed the 4-team playoff format to have a 12-team playoff. As A Result of the change, there are mixed emotions amongst football fans. When asked about the change, LFA alum and former Division 1 football player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Faith Ekakitie said, “It’s a money grab, in my opinion.”
There was also criticism of the first round’s competition level. Ekakite said “There were [only] one or two games in the first round that were actually close.” The two blowout games were Ohio State’s 42-17 win over Tennessee, and Penn State’s 28 point win over SMU. The two closer games were Texas’s victory over Clemson 38-24 and Notre Dame over Indiana 27-17.
At the end of many impressive games, the two teams left standing at the National Championship game in Atlanta were the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the Buckeyes from Ohio State.
The game began with Notre Dame possession, resulting in the longest ever touchdown drive in the CFP. Over 18 plays, quarterback Riley Leonard led the Fighting Irish to an early lead. The buckeyes had limited time to make a play due to the length of the Fighting Irish’s drive, the buckeyes managed to achieve an advantageous field position heading into the second quarter, with Notre Dame leading 7-0.
Within the first minute of the second quarter, the Buckeyes scored a touchdown by wideout Jeremiah Smith. On the next Buckeye drive, Ohio State star running back Quinshon Judkins weaved around the Fighting Irish defense to secure a nine yard touchdown, putting the Buckeyes on top, 14-7. Yet again, the Irish offense was unable to respond to the Buckeyes. Quarterback Will Howard was able to execute crucial passes to get down the field and found Judkins for a 6 yard pass putting the score at 21-7 at the half.
Judkins picked up right where he left off, rushing 70 yards to the 5 yard line. Judkins scored his third touchdown on the next play. Notre Dame’s backup quarterback, Steve Angeli, threw an incomplete pass on the 4th down, returning the ball back to the Buckeyes. Buckeye kicker, Jayden Fielding, made a 46 yard field goal after Howard’s incomplete pass on 3rd down during the Buckeyes next drive. A 34 yard pass from Leonard to wide receiver Jaden Greathouse gave Notre Dame 6 points, followed by a good 2 point conversion, the teams entered the 4th quarter with Notre Dame trailing 15-31. Not all was lost for Notre Dame, but title hopes were slowly slipping away.
In the final quarter Notre Dame got off to a rough start. Their kicker, Mitch Jeter, missed a 27 yard field goal. The Irish gained possession of the ball shortly after, forcing the Buckeyes to punt. Despite Leonard being sacked by JT Tuimoloau, he was able to complete a 30 yard pass to Greathouse followed by a trick play two point conversion that had the Fighting Irish down by eight with four minutes to go. The Buckeyes scored another field goal.
As time ran out, the Buckeyes rushed the field, with a 34-23 win capping an incredible season, giving the Big 10 team their first national championship since 2014.
