Day’s Buckeyes had eventual national champion Georgia on tilt in the playoffs a couple of years ago, but the Ohio State lost a heartbreaker. Day’s record vs. Michigan is rough for Buckeyes fans to digest, but Ohio State’s leader is 60 minutes away from potentially adding a national championship to his resume.

Recently, longtime college football personality Paul Finebaum took aim at the Irish, saying that many fans in college football are not a fan of them because of their alleged "arrogance" over lack of a conference affiliation.

"It could have gone sideways fast," said Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden. Four months later, the Fighting Irish are somehow one victory away from capturing their first national championship in 36 years.

Ohio State is fully capable of making Notre Dame pay for its mistakes, but it doesn’t force nearly as many turnovers and commits more on offense as well. The Buckeyes are tied for 54th in the FBS in takeaways (19) and rank 44th in turnover margin (plus-four), which bodes well for the Irish.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are fully committed from top to bottom. Learn how their unified approach is driving success on and off the field.

Several players with Ohio roots will suit up for Notre Dame football in the CFP National Championship game. See the list.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish might just be a team of destiny this season. Despite being left for dead by most of the college football world after the loss to NIU, the Irish ripped off 10 straight wins (most in very impressive fashion) to make the college football playoff.

The national championship matchup is set. The Notre Dame football team will take on Ohio State next Monday night in Atlanta with everything on the line. Both the Fighting Irish and the Buckeyes were tested in the semifinal round as Notre Dame narrowly outlasted Penn State,