This is it. One final game to be remembered forever in Ohio State lore. One team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and a friend turned foe in Marcus Freeman stand in the way. The Buckeyes have dominated the College Football Playoff, but none of that matters if they can’t get this last one done.

The Buckeyes would be wise to control the running game on offense in their pursuit of college football's ultimate prize

For Ohio State, Ed Terwilliger, the director of high school relations, and a few other staff have been out on the trail keeping tabs on the 2026, 2027 and 2028 classes. Earlier in the month, despite position coaches not being on the road, a myriad of offers went out to a handful of prospects.