The Buckeyes beat the Fighting Irish 34-23 to win the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, their first national championship since the 2014 season

Ohio State and Notre Dame close the college football season Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where the national champion will be crowned. As the season ends with a bang, ESPN plans a multi-platform broadcast to capture it.

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.

Ohio State and (7) Notre Dame will face off for the sport's most illustrious prize. This will be Notre Dame's first shot at a national championship since 2012, while the Buckeyes are back in the national title game for the second time under coach Ryan Day.

ESPN aired a brief halftime message from President Trump during the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Notre Dame and Ohio State on Monday night. "You can feel the excitement and you can feel the confidence and spirit returning to our nation.

Donald Trump's speech was aired on ESPN before the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame

President Donald Trump had a busy day in the nation's capital, but he still carved out time to address Ohio State and Notre Dame before this year's national title game. Trump had a video recorded where he talked about his inauguration for about a minute.

College football fans intentionally steering clear of Donald Trump's second inauguration expressed their discontent with ESPN after his speech was broadcasted during the National Championship game featuring Ohio State and Notre Dame.