The Buckeyes joined a small group of teams to win the national championship after failing to win their conference

When the 2025 College Football Playoff title game kicks off on Monday, it will feature the Big Ten’s Ohio State Buckeyes and the independent Notre Dame Fighting Irish. However, the Big Ten won’t be the only conference represented on the field at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

About the only thing that feels normal about it are the teams playing for the title: Ohio State and Notre Dame.

Coach Ryan Day shushed the critics, running back Quinshon Judkins scored three touchdowns, and the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes held off a furious second-half rally to beat No. 7 seed Notre Dame, 34-23,

Why is Notre Dame not in a conference for college football? Here's what to know as the Irish are set to compete in the CFP championship game on Monday:

A great first drive from Notre Dame gave hope. Notre Dame got the ball first and made the most of it. They grinded away on the first drive and had possession for most of the first

Dating back to 1978 when Division I college football split into I-A and I-AA, three programs have won college football national champions as an independent: Miami, Notre Dame and Penn State all did it.

Notre Dame showed this season why its comfortable staying independent — even if it has to play an extra game in its quest for a championship.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish squared off Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Atlanta. Before kickoff, the teams were introduced, the national anthem was performed, and the captains met at midfield for the coin toss.