CFP National Championship 2025: Freeman keeps focus on the field
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On Monday night, Marcus Freeman will lead the Notre Dame Fighting Irish into a national championship battle against his alma mater: Ohio State.
Why it matters: According to Freeman, the opponent doesn't matter.
- "This has nothing to do with the past and where I went to school," Freeman, who was an Ohio State linebacker from 2004-2008, said Sunday. "This is about this opportunity that lies right ahead of us."
The big picture: The highly anticipated Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchup will see two of the winningest programs in all of college football go head-to-head in Atlanta.
- Notre Dame (14-1) last won a national championship since 1988, while Ohio (13-2) last won in 2015.
By the numbers: Notre Dame is the only Indiana college football team to call themselves national champs, claiming 11 titles in program history.
- OSU is a juggernaut in its own right, winning it all eight times.
Yes, but: NCAA records credit the Irish with 13 title wins.
- Notre Dame was one of five teams named national champion by selectors in 1919 alongside Illinois, Harvard, Centre and Texas A&M.
- They shared the honor with Alabama, Arkansas and Michigan in 1964. The university does not claim the 1919 and 1964 championships.
How it works: According to the NCAA, there have been more than 30 selectors of national champions over the years using polls, historical research and mathematical rating systems.
What they're saying: In the lead up to the game, Freeman has frequently been asked what it feels like to be facing off with his former team, and what it means to him to be a half Black, half Korean man coaching in a national championship game on a day dedicated to a civil rights icon.
- Much like he does when discussing his playing past, Freeman believes the focus of the holiday should be anywhere but on him.
- "Martin Luther King Day is about celebrating that man and the impact he made on the country," he said.
- Instead, he and his team are marching into Monday with their attention on helping Notre Dame return to the top college football world.
- "This place hasn't won a national championship since 1988, and every year the aspirations are to win a national championship," he said. "It would be special for this university and these players that have poured so much work into getting the results that we have."
Between the lines: In addition to being a week of prep, this week has been full of celebrations.
- True freshman cornerback Leonard Moore was named FWAA Freshman Player of the Year.
- Terry Hanratty, who led Notre Dame to the 1966 national championship as the starting quarterback, was named to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class.
State of play: Oddsmakers are taking the Buckeyes as the favorite by 8.5 points.
- The over/under is 46.5 total points scored.
Flashback: The record between Notre Dame and Ohio State is 6-2 in favor of the Buckeyes.
- Their most recent game was on Sept. 23, 2023. Ohio State beat Notre Dame 17-14.
What's next: Kickoff is 7:30pm Monday on ESPN.
How to listen: Notre Dame Radio Network
Go deeper: Notre Dame football on full display in new Peacock docuseries