Ohio State vs Notre Dame Prediction 1/20/25 College Football Picks
Notre Dame (14-1) vs Ohio State (13-2)
Game Info: Monday, January 20, 2025 at 7:30 pm (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Betting Odds: Notre Dame +8.5 -- Over/Under: 46.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes meet Monday in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here’s a Ohio State vs Notre Dame Prediction. This article will include a Ohio State vs Notre Dame Pick.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Preview
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are coming off wins over Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish look to win their 12th national title in school history. Riley Leonard is completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,606 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Jaden Greathouse and Beaux Collins have combined for 962 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, while Mitchell Evans has 39 receptions.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish ground game is averaging 225.8 yards per contest, and Jeremiyah Love leads the way with 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns. Defensively, Notre Dame is allowing 13.6 points and 319.6 yards per game. Jack Kiser leads the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with 85 tackles, Rylie Mills has 7.5 sacks and Xavier Watts has 6 interceptions.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview
The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off wins over Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas. The Ohio State Buckeyes look to win their ninth national title in school history. Will Howard is completing 72.6 percent of his passes for 3,779 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka have combined for 2,174 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns, while Carnell Tate has 50 receptions.
The Ohio State Buckeyes ground game is averaging 163.2 yards per contest, and TreVeyon Henderson leads the way with 967 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Ohio State is allowing 12.2 points and 251.1 yards per game. Cody Simon leads the Ohio State Buckeyes with 104 tackles, JT Tuimoloau has 11.5 sacks and Denzel Burke has 2 interceptions.
Why the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will win
- Notre Dame has won each of its last nine games at neutral venues.
- Notre Dame has covered the spread in each of its last nine games against AP-ranked teams.
- Ohio State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games against opponents from the FBS Independents.
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won eight of its last nine January games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
- Ohio State has covered the spread in each of its last five games as a favorite against top-10 AP-ranked teams.
Matchup/League Facts
- Notre Dame ranks 2nd among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (165.3).
- Notre Dame ranks 3rd among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (2.3).
- Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (4.8).
- Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (251.1).
Ohio State vs Notre Dame Injury Report
Notre Dame will be without offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp due to an ankle injury. Wide receiver Beaux Collins (calf) and quarterback Riley Leonard (head) are questionable. However, it would be surprising if either player missed the national championship.
Ohio State has listed wide receiver Nolan Baudo and tight end Jace Middleton as questionable with undisclosed issues. Neither player was a factor this season, so it’s fair to say the Buckeyes are healthy overall.
Ohio State vs Notre Dame Prediction
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the more talented team and have health on their side, so they're going to be decent sized favorites. I'm still grabbing the points with Notre Dame. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have covered 11 straight games, and they're 13-2 ATS on the season. Notre Dame is 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven games as an underdog, and four of those covers were outright wins. Notre Dame hasn't been this big of an underdog since September 2022. While Ohio State has NFL talent on offense, the Irish are 20th in total defense and second in scoring defense. Jeremiyah Love has also had time to nurse his knee issue and provide Notre Dame with a balanced attack. I also trust Marcus Freeman more than Ryan Day. I'm grabbing the points with Notre Dame in the national championship.
Randy’s Pick Notre Dame +8.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers

Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds