Top 10 Key Players to Watch in the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Championship

Top 10 Key Players to Watch in the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Championship

With the College Football Playoff field now down to just two teams, Ohio State will face Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship on Monday, January 20, in Atlanta. Ohio State is looking to win its first national title since 2014, while Notre Dame is looking to return to the top of college football for the first time since 1988.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of the 12-game playoffs is the opportunity for stars to emerge and legends to be born. Then there’s Jack Sawyer, a solid defensive end who made one of the greatest plays in Ohio State history with a fumble return for a touchdown in the final minutes of the Cotton Bowl win over Texas. The same goes for Notre Dame’s Jaden Greathouse, who scored a breakaway touchdown to turn the game around against Penn State in the Orange Bowl.

In the previous era, you only had two chances to prove yourself as an impact player. Notre Dame and Ohio State each had four players who were on the national spotlights. Here are the 10 most impactful players on both teams heading into the championship game, including many future first-round draft picks and promising young players.

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

If there’s any question about how important Smith is to Ohio State, one only needs to watch tape of the Texas defense in the Cotton Bowl. The Longhorns got close to their star rookie every time, struggled to contain Smith, and got a double score. In the past two games, Smith has 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Notre Dame features a high-man defense, but they’ll need to consider alternatives against a player of Smith’s caliber.

2. Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State

Ohio State needed a defender to fill the Joey Bosa role on the defensive line, and Sawyer delivered. During the College Football Playoff, Sawyer recorded 4.5 sacks and was a constant terror to opposing linemen. Against Texas, Sawyer forced a strip sack on Quinn Ewers and returned it 80 yards for the game-winning touchdown. He was the best defensive player in the College Football Playoff.

3. Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame

Leonard has been inconsistent throwing the ball, but his impact goes far beyond statistics. The senior transfer from Duke stepped up and showed sensational playmaking skills to lead the Fighting Irish offense for long stretches. Though he only managed 90 passing yards against Georgia, Leonard was all over the game, recording 80 key rushing yards. He is the quintessential player who wins on the edge.

4. Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State

To see how valuable Downs is to Ohio State, look at the most important play of the Cotton Bowl. Texas threw the ball on the goal line, but it was well blocked. But Downs quickly saw the play and took advantage of the gap to make a hard tackle with a yardage loss. Downs, a sophomore, is currently a top-five pick in the NFL Draft due to his versatile skill set. He recorded 77 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six passes defensed during his All-American season after transferring from Alabama.

5. Xavier Watts, DB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s pass defense is arguably the team’s best unit and Watts is their top safety. The senior plays all over the field and recorded 13 interceptions during his All-America campaigns over the past two seasons. During the CFP, Watts recorded 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and another interception. Defensive coordinator Al Golden will likely utilize Watts as a safety net against a sensational OSU receiver corps.

6. Howard Cross, DL, Notre Dame

Notre Dame has lost a number of defensive linemen to injury throughout the season, including Cross, who has been injured for some time. But the sixth-year senior has been a consistent mainstay for the Irish and a key to one of the best defenses in the country. With Cross in the lineup, Notre Dame’s defense is on target.

7. Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame relies on three rushers in Love, Leonard and J’Darian Price, but Love emerged as a key factor late in the season. During a four-game winning streak that ended with the season finale, Love rushed for 474 yards and six touchdowns at an impressive 10.7 yards per carry. Love was limited in the past two CFP games due to a knee injury, but he should be better with some rest before the finals. The Fighting Irish need him to perform at his best.

8. Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

Offensive linemen don’t always get the attention of impact players, but Jackson is having a great season. With Ohio State losing left tackle Josh Simmons to a season-ending injury, Jackson moved from left guard to left tackle. He allowed five pressures and two sacks in the opener against Penn State, but has allowed just two pressures and zero sacks throughout the College Football Playoff since then. His performance was decisive.

9. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Ohio State made the wise decision to draft running back Quinshon Judkins and limit Henderson’s touches as he battles injuries. The senior is the freshest running back right now and has been incredibly explosive as usual. Henderson took a screen pass and ran 75 yards for a touchdown before halftime against Texas. He is averaging a career-best 7.3 yards per carry. If Notre Dame misses an opening, Henderson can score.

10. Jaden Greathouse, WR, Notre Dame

Greathouse’s numbers aren’t all that impressive, with 36 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns. But he proved himself against Penn State with a 54-yard breakaway touchdown, one of the best plays in team history. Greathouse hasn’t had many opportunities to play to his incredible potential due to Notre Dame’s shaky passing game, but he is a game-changer when he gets the ball in his hands.

Share This Post