SportsLine's model simulated Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 CFP National Championship game 10,000 times

The first 12-team version of the College Football Playoff has reached the national championship game and it will be Notre Dame against heavily favored Ohio State. The tantalizing matchup comes after some wondered if the CFP selection committee got it right.

Here's a look at the early betting odds for the College Football Playoff championship between Ohio State and Notre Dame on Jan. 20:

The College Football Playoff is down to the No. 7 seed and No. 8 seed. The national championship game in the inaugural 12-team CFP will pit the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish up against the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes.

The earliest line for the Notre Dame vs Ohio State national title game has the Buckeyes as a 9.5 favorite over the Irish. And for good reason. The Buckeyes have been the most dominant team in the CFP field thus far with playoff victories of 42-17 over Tennessee,

Ohio State is favored by 9 1/2 points over Notre Dame in the College Football Championship national title game.

The No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish match up for the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20, 2025, starting at 7:30 p.m. ETand airing

The Ohio State Buckeyes must stop this talented Notre Dame Fighting running back in the 2024-25 National Championship.

For ESPN, it might not be an expert, more data driven prediction to handicap the 2025 title game winner. The SP+ projection complied by Bill Connelly (subscription required) is not favorable for the Irish, as it has them losing to the Buckeyes, 27.6-21.7.

Marcus Freeman has shown us his game plan, and our early college football expert predictions are leaning toward a closer final score than the oddsmakers predict.