This loss for Notre Dame to Ohio State in the national title game wasn't Alabama 2013 all over again, but there were similarites. The differences were huge, though.

Ryan Day and his Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in the College Football National Championship, vindicating Brian Kelly (for no

In a conversation with CBS Sports, Kelly indicated that he believes the Irish can defeat Ohio State in the College Football Playoff title game and finally win another national championship, something he failed to do in 12 seasons with the program. Here’s the quote in full:

"Brian Kelly left Notre Dame because he didn’t think he could win a national title there in the current CFB landscape. He thought LSU would be a better path. His replacement has Notre Dame just 60 minutes away from a title, and Kelly enters next season on a hot seat," said another.

The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 34-23, to become 2024-25 College Football Playoff National Champions and earn its sixth national

In total, Notre Dame has gone 33-9 under Freeman, with wins in the Gator Bowl, Sun Bowl, and three College Football Playoff games. Over that same period, LSU has gone 29-11 under Kelly, and has never reached the CFP.

Chip Kelly was masterful in helping Ohio State build a 31-7 lead, then the Buckeyes closed it out with a gutsy third-down call in the final minutes.