Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish finished the college football season as the national championship runner-up following a 34-23 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday.

Notre Dame players were angry after their loss to Ohio State in the title game. But there was motivation after its College Football Playoff run.

During the showdown between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the official College Football Playoff X account shared that the game drew the second-highest stadium attendance in the history of the national championship.

It's down to this. Notre Dame and Ohio State meet in the College Football Playoff championship game. Who will prevail? Our experts make their picks.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first down catch during the second half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21.

Ohio State's ninth matchup against Notre Dame will decide whether or not the Buckeyes claim their ninth National Championship

Al Golden agreed to return to Cincinnati on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. More: 3 Wolverines, 3 ex-Spartans make ESPN list of top 100 college football players from '24-25

Following kicker Jaden Fielding's field goal to stretch Ohio State lead to 11, the Buckeyes (14-2, 7-2 Big Ten) sideline celebrated in a frenzy, understanding that they were closing in on a national championship title against Notre Dame (14-2).

Ohio State is on top of the college football world thanks to their four-game run over the last month. The Buckeyes topped their College Football Playoff run off with a 34-23 National Championship win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Monday night.

Freeman becomes just the second Notre Dame head coach to win the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year honor, with Lou Holtz also winning it back in 1988. The award was first handed out in 1986.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Nine final thoughts on Notre Dame going out (almost) on top after its 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.