College GameDay crew picks Ohio State-Notre Dame national championship game
College GameDay was live one more time to wrap up the 2024-25 college football season. On Monday night, the show kicked things off in Atlanta before the national title bout between Ohio State and Notre Dame.
The two historic programs have met just 8 times in their respective histories, including matchups during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but none of them have been with this level of magnitude. DraftKings has kept Ohio State as an 8.5-point favorite leading up to kickoff as Ryan Day looks to win his first national title and lead the Buckeyes to their first championship since 2014.
On the other side of the matchup, Marcus Freeman is looking for his first national title in just his 3rd season leading Notre Dame. A win would give the Fighting Irish their first national title since 1988 and Freeman a championship before turning 40-years-old.
As usual, ESPN’s College GameDay crew took time to pick the national title game before the action gets rolling in Atlanta. Here is how the crew went around the desk:
Desmond Howard: Notre Dame. “It’s really easy to go with Ohio State… but there’s just something about this Notre Dame team… They just don’t know the definition of quit.”
Pat McAfee: Ohio State
Nick Saban: Ohio State. “I love Notre Dame’s team chemistry… They represent everything I believe in as a coach. But I think Ohio State just has too much firepower.”
Lee Corso: Notre Dame. “It’s no secret I’m picking Notre Dame.”
Kirk Herbstreit: Did not pick (Calling the game)
Stanford Steve: Ohio State. “… But I believe Notre Dame keeps it close.”
We’ll see how rolls to a title in Atlanta to officially conclude the 2024-25 season!