Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Pregame Action

The countdown to kickoff for the college football national championship is on

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish spirit squad fires up their fans in the Home Depot Backyard prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Notre Dame and Ohio State are approaching kickoff for the national championship in Atlanta and the atmosphere is electric.

It is the national championship after all so that's not a surprise but it is a scene Notre Dame fans haven't been a part of a whole lot the last three decades.

What's the scene like in Atlanta and specifically at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as kickoff approaches between the Fighting Irish and Buckeyes?

Here are some pregame scenes from where the road ends on the 2025 college football season.

Notre Dame Star Xavier Watts Has Arrived

☘️❎#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/EpNKJYnKLT

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 20, 2025

Notre Dame Legend Joe Montana and...Cactus Jack

Joe and Cactus Jack ☘️#GoIrish | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/DqXiVkQbvj

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 20, 2025

Notre Dame Heads to the Playing Field

Riley Leonard takes a peek at the Hype Tunnel before Notre Dame takes the field 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ycj6hSTWHT

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 20, 2025

Play Like a Champion Today

Play like a champion today ☘️#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/OLDniAsZZw

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 21, 2025

Pat Coogan's Pregame Speech (from afar)

Longest Pat Coogan pregame speech yet.

Notre Dame is set for four quarters of its brand of football. pic.twitter.com/B7fBBhvxoJ

— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) January 21, 2025

Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love Gets Parental Pep Talk

Jeremiyah Love’s parents gave the Notre Dame running back their patented pregame pep talk ahead of the national championship game. pic.twitter.com/z8tFaXPXpC

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 20, 2025

Air of Expectancy in the Arena Tonight

Mercedes-Benz is rocking and rolling pregame. And it’s only going to get better. pic.twitter.com/jqfCEjbUUX

— Irish Illustrated (@irishillustratd) January 21, 2025

The Bus Stopped Here (in Atlanta)

Jerome Bettis is here. https://t.co/HBDwEzBmvr pic.twitter.com/A2nxuE8OjS

— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) January 20, 2025

SEC Makes Championship Afterall

It will be an SEC officiating crew tonight. Congrats to the SEC for making the title game.

— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) January 21, 2025

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is Ready for the Main Event

📍ATL ☘️#GoIrish | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/0Mlj3ThrE3

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 20, 2025

Ohio State QB Will Howard Taking it All In

Will Howard is taking it all in‼️ pic.twitter.com/saA6pvgMvP

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 21, 2025

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