Sunday Scroll: Only one will win

College football looked a bit different this season, with the playoff field expanding from four to 12 teams for the first time since the CFP began in 2014. This new bracket-style tourney added eight playoff games to the mix and gave contenders some regular-season wiggle room.

• In years past, one regular-season loss almost certainly meant that a top-tier team wouldn’t make the CFP — but this year, only one squad among the 12 contenders was undefeated: No. 1 seed Oregon, who lost to Ohio State in the quarter-finals.

Expanding the field created space for teams who suffered early-season losses to still have a chance to compete for a championship and allowed squads from smaller conferences outside of the Power Five to make a run, too. Notre Dame and Ohio State suffered regular-season Ls to arguably lesser squads, yet still reached the big stage. Consider that playing field leveled.

The GIST: It’s been 12 years since Notre Dame last competed for a national title and 36 since they won it all, but a lot’s changed for the Fighting Irish. From HC Freeman’s defensive mindset to this squad’s impressive ability to pivot, ND has the grit to (perhaps literally) push themselves across the line.

The season: Things didn’t look great for Notre Dame in the preseason, with major stars, like offensive lineman Charles Jagusah, sidelined with what seemed to be season-ending injuries. But every member of the squad stepped up, defying the odds for an injury-plagued roster and posting a 11-1 regular season campaign.

• As for that one loss…it wasn’t pretty. Notre Dame was heavily favored ahead of their September 7th game against unranked North Illinois, but lost 16–14. As mentioned, that L could have spelled the end for the Fighting Irish if not for the expanded field.

The semifinal: Notre Dame was trailing 10–3 at halftime of the Orange Bowl, down bad and stifled by No. 6 Penn State’s defense. But a second-half resurgence, led by dual-threat quarterback (QB) Riley Leonard, supercharged them to a 27–24 comeback win.

• That dub was a hefty dose of redemption for kicker Mitch Jeter, who missed two field goals in that September L to Northern Illinois, only to nail the game-winner in the semis. It’s not how you start…

Keys to success: Notre Dame’s biggest strength is their defense, shepherded by former Ohio State linebacker (yes, really), HC Freeman. The Fighting Irish have allowed the second-fewest points in the nation on the season and aren’t afraid to play defense with aggression, applying serious pressure for opposing QBs.

• And then there’s running back Jeremiyah Love, who leads the team in rushing yards when he’s not moonlighting as an amateur hurdler. Get this man the pigskin, stat.

The GIST: Ohio State won the inaugural CFP Championship ten years ago, but that was a different era of OSU ball, helmed by infamous and controversial HC Urban Meyer. Now, Ohio State’s current HC Ryan Day is looking to make his own mark on the storied program — and this dominant squad just might be the one to cement his legacy.

The season: Lauded as a team to watch from the very start, Ohio State’s season began with high expectations, and they’ve met them since August…with the exception of two very notable, playoff-seed-changing losses.

• The first came against Oregon on October 12th, where the Buckeyes fell 32–31 to the then-No. 3 Ducks. But it was Ohio State’s second L that sent this squad spiraling.

• On November 30th, in their final regular-season game, Ohio State was upset 13–10 by lowly Michigan (their archrivals), costing them a shot at the Big Ten Championship and the first-round bye that would’ve come with it. Calls for Day to be fired rang loud and long.

• Ohio State has played with unrelenting tenacity following that path-altering L, hellbent on not letting this opportunity slip through their fingers.

The semifinal: And that righteousness was on full display against Texas in the Cotton Bowl, which Ohio State won 28–14. The Longhorns stifled (and visibly frustrated) the Buckeyes’ strong offense, taking out top target and true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

• In the end, it was Ohio State’s best-in-the-country defense that won this one, with defensive end Jack Sawyer strip-sacking his former roomie, Texas QB Quinn Ewers, for a game-sealing touchdown.

Keys to success: It warrants repeating that the Buckeyes’ defense is the crème de la crème, allowing the fewest points per game in college football. The true difference maker for Ohio State, though, will be how they handle Notre Dame’s tough D.

• If the Buckeyes can get the ball to Smith, victory is within reach. But if he’s stifled, as he was in the Cotton Bowl, then this squad has to pivot quickly, perhaps to relying on players like star running back TreVeyon Henderson.

Considering the on-field talent and hype of the expanded field, it’s no wonder this edition of the CFP is seeing viewership highs. Ohio State won the most-watched Cotton Bowl ever (20.6M viewers), while Notre Dame’s Orange Bowl victory brought in 17.8M viewers.

• Expect that trend to continue tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in the U.S. and TSN in Canada. No flags on these plays.