Can Notre Dame beat Ohio State? Predicting the best possible result for the CFP national championship

Ohio State comes into the CFP national title game as a favorite, a potential juggernaut and maybe even the first block in a college football dynasty. Notre Dame comes in as a solid team that has done a nice job in competitive football games down the CFP stretch run.

Interestingly, both Ohio State and Notre Dame have made their run to the final the hard way-- having to win four games to win the CFP. The Irish were the No. 7 seed, making the field as an at-large team, as they have no conference alignment. The Buckeyes were the No. 8 seed, as they missed the Big Ten title game after a painful loss to Michigan in the regular-season finale.

The title game will be played next Monday, Jan. 20, at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ohio State won the championship ten years ago in the first-ever four-team CFP. The Buckeyes are solid favorites to make another first, but Notre Dame certainly has upset on its mind.

Can Notre Dame beat Ohio State?

Off a semifinal upset of Big Ten foe Penn State, Notre Dame is hunting for another Big Ten takedown against Ohio State. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Certainly, the 14-1 Irish are capable of upsetting the Buckeyes. There are several pieces of good news for Notre Dame. For one thing, the Irish pretty clearly have found a formula for victory in the CFP. The Irish have scored 27, 24 and 27 points in their three games and have largely shut down opposing offenses.

Notre Dame does have the second best scoring defense in the nation, holding opponents to just 14.3 points per game. The Irish have also forced a whopping 32 turnovers and their +17 turnover margin is third best in the nation.

The Irish have the best pass efficiency defense in the nation, forcing 19 turnovers while allowing 12 scores through the air. Opponents complete just 50.7% of passes against the Irish and gain just 5.8 yards per pass attempt.

So within those facts, there's a pretty good scenario for the Irish. To pull the upset in the CFP title game, use a turnover advantage, force the Buckeyes to rely on the pass and avoid a high-scoring shootout.

Who is favored in the CFP title game between Ohio State and Notre Dame?

Ohio State is favored by 8.5 points over the Irish. The money line has Ohio State at -360, with Notre Dame betting around +285. The over/under of 45.5 does seem to fit Notre Dame's design for a possible upset.

How many national titles has Ohio State won?

Ohio State recognizes eight official national championships. Those titles were won in 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002 and 2014. Of course, the last two titles were won in the BCS and CFP eras of determining a clear title winner. The first six were consensus title picks in a crowded, unclear era of national titles

It's worth noting that other selectors had Ohio State as champions on seven other occasions that OSU doesn't recognize as official national titles.

How many national titles has Notre Dame won?

Notre Dame claims 11 national championships. Those crowns were won in 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977 and 1988. Notre Dame hasn't won a championship in the modern head-to-head title game era, which began a few seasons after the 1988 game.

There are 11 more unclaimed titles that had Notre Dame not chosen as consensus champions, but named as champs by some major entity.

What do you think of Notre Dame's upset chances? Share your take below in our comments section!