Marcus Freeman & Notre Dame Seek Ultimate Redemption vs Ohio State

Marcus Freeman leads Notre Dame in a quest for redemption against Ohio State in the CFP National Championship.

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser (24) defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) safety Xavier Watts (0) and quarterback Riley Leonard (13) and cornerback Christian Gray (29) celebrate deafening the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

A story so good, it almost writes itself

From the Northern Illinois loss that caused nearly everyone, including Notre Dame-leaning folks, to count the Irish out of CFP contention, to the 13-game winning streak that followed, including three playoff games, the Irish find themselves in the championship game.

It's been a crazy road to get here.

This isn't just any matchup, this is Marcus Freeman against his alma mater, Ohio State, a program that has caught fire since its loss to Michigan and that has been the most impressive team in the playoff. Almost everyone will be predicting a Buckeye victory, and maybe that's exactly what the Irish, who've been counted out most of the season, would prefer.

THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IS SET 🏆

Who ya got, Notre Dame or Ohio State? 🌰☘️ pic.twitter.com/2XBDQmLtJY

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 11, 2025

The latest chapter in a complicated storyline

Not that long ago, Marcus Freeman was an All-Big Ten linebacker playing for Ohio State. Once he took over as Notre Dame's head man, his Irish teams have fallen to Ohio State twice.

Once in Freeman's first game as a head coach in the Horseshoe and with a QB making his first career start, and the second being 2023's instant classic in South Bend where the Irish lined up 10 men on defense on the goal line twice, leading to a heartbreaking loss.

This game between Notre Dame and Ohio State is Freeman's chance at ultimate redemption against the Buckeyes with a title hanging in the balance. The odds will surely favor the Buckeyes, a healthier team that spared no expense to build the most talented roster in the country this year.

But as we've seen from the Irish this postseason, what though the odds be great or small, old Notre Dame so far, has won over all.

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