SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Nine final thoughts on Notre Dame going out (almost) on top after its 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Members of the Ohio State University and the University of Notre Dame football teams gave glory to God following the College Football Playoff National Championship game Monday in which the Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish.

The Texas Longhorns are set to face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes tonight in the Cotton Bowl. Both teams are talented enough to win a national championshi

Notre Dame capped off the season with a 14-2 record. They entered the national title game on a 13-game win streak, with wins over Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State in the College Football Playoff. Following a historic year for the Fighting Irish, Freeman was announced as the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year.

O n Thursday, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl, which doubles as one of the college football playoff semifinals. The game marks the latest of Notre Dame’s many successes on the gridiron.

One Notre Dame football player that improved their draft stock during Monday's national championship game is quarterback Riley Leonard. Leonard didn't have a big season by any means, but he did play a good game against Ohio State as he was 22-31 for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Leonard was a big part of the comeback.

Then, for the biggest play of the game, Notre Dame decided to leave Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on an island. It was third and 12 and the Fighting Irish would get the ball back with a stop with a chance to tie the game. Smith completely burned his defender and he was wide open for a huge gain, and he iced the game.

Notre Dame's defeat of Penn State in the Orange Bowl puts its College Football Playoff payout at $20 million and ensures its independent status

His game in high school certainly attracted notice because he drew the interest of Notre Dame and others, including his hometown school of Texas and South Carolina. “You had to fight to get him ...

Notre Dame asked Riley Leonard to carry the rock against Ohio State. Texas fans want to know why Steve Sarkisian didn't do the same with Arch Manning.