Notre Dame football is going to the national championship game. Who will they play next?

Posted by author January 10, 2025 Football

Spread the love

For the first time since 2012, Notre Dame football will play for the national championship.

The No. 7 Fighting Irish emerged with a thrilling 27-24 victory over No. 6 Penn State on Thursday in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida. It broke the tie in the all-time series between the two programs, with Notre Dame now holding a 10-9-1 advantage.

Who does Notre Dame football play next?

Given Notre Dame played the first of two CFP semifinal games, the Irish will not now its next opponent until Friday night.

No. 5 Texas (13-2) is facing No. 8 Ohio State (12-2) in the Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The winner of that game will take on Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 20, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Notre Dame football history with Ohio State and Texas

Notre Dame has had tremendous success against Texas all-time, holding a 9-3 advantage. However, the Longhorns won the most recent encounter, 50-47 (OT), in 2016. They have met in three bowl games, including Notre Dame winning the 1977 national championship with a win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl that season.

Meanwhile, Ohio State is up, 6-2, all-time on Notre Dame, winning each of the last six matchups. That includes a 17-14 win for the Buckeyes over the Irish in South Bend during the 2023 regular season.