College Football Playoff National Championship #6 Ohio State vs #5 Notre Dame: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | January 13, 2025

The biggest game of the year is here, and two of the biggest college sports fans have come together to share their favorite plays for the College Football National Championship. Joining me on this journey is our senior writer, Nate Hornung, who has been holding a Notre Dame National Champion (+800) ticket since the start of the playoffs. On the other hand, I am holding an Ohio State National Champion (-130) ticket. Here are our thoughts beyond our future tickets.

#6 Ohio State vs #5 Notre Dame Odds

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Spread:

Ohio State: -8.5 (-110)

Notre Dame: +8.5 (-110)

Total

Over: 45.5 (-110)

Under: 45.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Ohio State: -385

Notre Dame: +315

#6 Ohio State vs #5 Notre Dame Best Bets

Colby’s Bets: Ohio State to Win by 1-6 (+480)  on BetOnline

As someone who bet on the Buckeyes to win it all before the Cotton Bowl at -130, it feels like my civic duty to help the people find some value for tonight—especially with the Ohio State moneyline now sitting at -380.

I do not see this game being the blowout the public seems to expect. Is there a scenario where Ohio State covers the 8.5-point spread and wins by double digits? Of course. However, I believe this game stays within seven points. That is why I took a different approach and bet on the Buckeyes to win by 1-6 points at +480. At nearly 5/1 odds, this serves as my “double-down” on Ohio State winning without covering the spread.

I have little faith in the Fighting Irish’s offensive line, which looked beaten up during the semifinals. Quarterback Riley Leonard had almost no time to drop back and throw, and now they are up against a more explosive offense with a defense just as strong as Penn State’s.

I see a tight game with the Buckeyes pulling out the win. While the Notre Dame defense should be able to keep Ohio State’s offense in check to some extent, do not expect them to keep up for the full game. Buckeyes by a slim margin.

Parlay: Jeremiyah Love Anytime Touchdown & 25+ Rush Yards (+158) on BetOnline

It is the final game of the college football season, so why not wrap things up with a little parlay to (hopefully) end the season on a high note.

Mr. Jeremiyah Love has been a workhorse for the Fighting Irish all season long, recording a touchdown in every single game this year except the Sugar Bowl against Georgia. Love’s production has dipped due to his knee issues, which is why I have adjusted his rushing yards down to just 25 yards. I am concerned he will have limited touches, as we saw against Indiana and Georgia.

“But Colby, he had 108 yards against Indiana!” Yes, but if you remove the 98-yard run, he had just ten yards on the ground. The Penn State performance gave me hope, and his infamous two-yard touchdown in the Orange Bowl showed how badly he wants to be out there producing for his teammates.

Still don’t understand how Jeremiyah Love did this.

pic.twitter.com/eg1Aq0F9K1

— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) January 10, 2025

There are plenty of boosts and sweat-free options available today. Use a boost on this, a sweat-free on this—whatever feels right. This two-leg parlay will be my “throwaway” of the day. It should come close and make for an exciting sweat during the game. Love has averaged seven yards per carry this season; we just need a few solid runs for him to surpass 25 yards. He will almost certainly get a goal-line look, which should cash the touchdown.

It should be a fun one. Good luck tonight!

Nate’s Bets: Notre Dame +8.5 (-110) and Under 45.5 (-110) on BetOnline

Look, I know I’m holding what is essentially an Irish ML ticket at +800, and even though I slightly lean with the Buckeyes winning outright tonight, I’ve decided to “double down”, “cover my ass”, or “screw myself” by taking the Irish on the points. It is entirely possible that Ohio State wins this game by 9 or more and I lose both tickets, but I don’t see that happening.

I lean with the under as well, as I see defenses taking charge in this game. Both defenses are top tier, but the Buckeyes do have a slight edge offensively with their wide receiving core. Ohio State is able to pick up chunk yardage and score in bunches, something the Irish struggle to do. Instead, I see Notre Dame focusing on slowing down this high flying offense and making them earn every single point they score.

The Irish have seen a defense of this caliber before (@ Texas A&M, Week 1, 23-13 Win), and even though I’m not a Will Howard fan, he’s done what he’s needed to in order to get the Buckeyes this far. In what should be a thriller of a game, give me Notre Dame on the points and the under, and I’ll sacrifice my Irish future as Ohio State wins the first ever 12 Team College Football Playoff.

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