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

Posted by Admin January 10, 2025 Football

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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.