The clear edge for Ohio State comes with the talent at cornerback and in the secondary. Notre Dame’s receivers have not been dominant this season, and one of them (Jordan Faison) was a walk-on as a recruit. The Irish, as a result, have had to rely on transfer portal and unexpected additions like Faison.

Both teams sign elite high school recruiting classes year after year as their foundations, and they have used the transfer portal judiciously but with great success.

Ohio State and Notre Dame have reached the same destination with rosters built much the same way. The teams set to play in the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta on Monday night sign elite high school recruiting classes year after year.

Monday’s national championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame is fast approaching. A title drought will end for one of these programs. The Buckeyes could bring fans a national title in the first year of the 12-team playoff format.

Ohio State is one win away from accomplishing its big goal of winning a National Championship. A decade since their last title win, the Buckeyes have Notre Dame standing in front of them to reach that feat.