Notre Dame football was rolling after a win at Texas A&M, a game many thought would slingshot the Irish to an undefeated season. Then NIU happened.

After losing to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame rattled off 10 straight ... The winner of this matchup will face either Texas or Ohio State in the National Championship on Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m ...

He walked into Hard Rock Stadium as a 38-year-old with a big chance. He walked out in the wee hours as a 39-year-old with now a bigger chance, one game away from adding his name to the list of coaches who have won national championships at Notre Dame. But in his household, his birthday evidently plays second fiddle to someone else.

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.

No. 8 Ohio State will play No. 7 Notre Dame in the championship of the College Football Playoff. Here are predictions for the matchup.

Ohio State and Notre Dame each have a top-two scoring defense and both narrowly pulled away in their respective semifinals thanks to their defense forcing a pivotal turnover. However, the Buckeyes hold the clear offensive edge over the Irish with weapons like Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith and TreVeyon Henderson. Ohio State 35, Notre Dame 17

Ohio State takes on Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday. Here's how to watch, including TV schedule and time:

The Buckeyes beat Texas 28-14 on Friday night to set up a Jan. 20 meeting against the Fighting Irish. Ohio State hasn’t lost since it fell 13-10 to Michigan in November. Notre Dame hasn’t lost since it fell 16-14 to Northern Illinois way back in September.

It will do Freeman — who’s under long-term contract with a bumped-up salary that makes his situation enviable — some good to remain in South Bend, where he’s set up to keep winning.

Notre Dame used a pair of late pick-sixes to finish the regular season 11-1 in a victory at rival USC. Christian Gray returned a would-be game-tying touchdown pass attempt 99-yards to cool the Trojans late threat and clinch a home College Football Playoff game.

That the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish, two of the sport's most storied teams, are squaring off in the title game is a TV executive's dream — and a fitting end to the first-ever 12-team playoff.

It all comes down to this, as college football looks to wind up its annual schedule as Ohio State and Notre Dame face off to determine the national championship