Ohio State vs Notre Dame Predictions, Analysis & Live Updates

One of the big storylines tonight may be Notre Dame’s shifting offensive line, as the team has had a revolving door of players up front due to an assortment of injuries.

The Irish need to find ways to help their O-line against the best defensive line in college football, and Covers Betting Analyst Douglas Farmer believes that means keeping the ball in Riley Leonard's hands near the goal line.

"If Notre Dame can sustain a drive, it likely will ask its veteran quarterback to cap the drive," he explains. "Leonard's 39 red-zone carries lead the Irish, eight more than even star running back Jeremiyah Love has enjoyed."

He expects Leonard to find paydirt at least once tonight with Notre Dame using its running backs as additional blockers and/or putting defensive ends into conflict on read-option designs.

Read more of Douglas' Ohio State vs. Notre Dame anytime touchdown picks.

BetMGM is offering Notre Dame backers a very special odds boost ahead of game time. 

The popular sportsbook is boosting Notre Dame +10.5 + Under 50.5 from +165 to +200!

The consensus spread is 8.5 across the board, so we're gaining two points here (and crossing the key number of 10) for the first half of this boost, while the total is 45.5 at most outlets, giving us an additional six points to play with.

Conventional wisdom is that a larger underdog usually covers in a lower-scoring game, and with the other major books on this list are offering +125 to +146 for this combo — getting it at 2/1 represents a significant value over the next-best operator.

Ohio State boasts a pair of first rate running backs in TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and while both players have their merits, Covers Senior Betting Analyst Andrew Caley is a bigger fan of the 22-year-old Henderson.

"This may be a hot take, but I think Henderson is the better back," he asserts. "He averaged 7.3 yards per carry this season and always seems to show up in Ohio State’s biggest games."

Caley expects Notre Dame to focus on stopping the pass, leaving holes for Henderson to run through and go Over 50 yards tonight.

"He’s hit this mark 12 times this season," he explains. "Because of the combination of skill and game script, I like him to do it again."

The traders at BetMGM aren't likely to be sweating the result of tonight's CFP National Championship Game. 

"If you include the futures market, we'll be fine with either team taking home the trophy, but Notre Dame moneyline betting will surely become an overall negative result by kickoff," says Michael Ranftle, Sportsbook Sr. Trader at BetMGM.

Curious to see how bettors are wagering ahead of kickoff? Here are the Top 5 most bet player props by ticket at BetMGM:

1. Jeremiyah Love Under 42.5 rushing yards (-115)
2. Emeka Egbuka Over 59.5 receiving yards (-115)
3. Aneyas Williams Over 24.5 receiving yards (-115)
4. Will Howard Over 245.5 passing yards (-115)
5. Jordan Faison Under 35.5 receiving yards (-115)

Find out why other sportsbooks are pulling for the Buckeyes ahead of tonight's game.

Ohio State scored 40 points or more in each of its first two playoff games, but Covers Senior Betting Analyst Andrew Caley expects that trend to end tonight. 

"The Irish have the best pass defense in the country, leading the nation in EPA per dropback and defensive success rate on dropbacks," he explains. "This will be key when it comes to shutting down OSU wide receiver Jeremiah Smith."

The true freshman phenom looked unstoppable in the first two rounds, but got locked up by Texas in the Cotton Bowl, resulting in just one catch and three yards.

"I expect the Irish will have a similar game plan in mind for the national championship," he says. "If Notre Dame has a shot at the upset, it’s by shortening this game and limiting Ohio State possessions. To me, this all adds up to a low-scoring game, so give me the Under 45.5." 

Read Andrew's full Ohio State vs. Notre prediction ahead of kickoff.

ESPN is pulling all the levers for tonight's championship game. The Worldwide Leader in Sports is delivering English and Spanish language broadcasts across the following platforms:

• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPN3
• ESPNews
• ESPNU
• ESPN Deportes
• ESPN+

Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game on ESPN's main telecast, while Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath will provide breaking news and updates from the sidelines.

The broadcast will reportedly feature 100 different cameras, including cameras inside all eight endzone pylons, goal line robotic cams, and MindFly BodyCams on three on-field officials. It promises to be the most immersive viewing experience ever seen for a college football matchup.

Cord-cutters can also enjoy the broadcast on Fubo. Learn how to live stream Ohio State vs. Notre Dame for free.

They say that good things come to those who wait, and that's certainly true this evening as the Ohio State Buckeyes face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 CFP National Championship Game. 

This is the longest college football fans have had to stand by to see a champion crowned owing to this year's newly expanded 12-team playoff format. However, few are complaining about the wait as tonight's marquee matchup features two of the nation's most decorated - and battle-tested - programs. 

The No. 8 Buckeyes punched their ticket to the title game with lopsided wins over Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas, while the No. 7 Irish cruised past Indiana and Georgia before squeaking by Penn State in the Orange Bowl. 

Covers is counting down to kickoff with our freshly updated live blog. Check back regularly for breaking news and the best NCAAF picks ahead of game time at 7:30 p.m. ET.