CFB reporter points to 5-yard struggle that changed the fate for Ryan Day’s Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes's game against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Friday was decided by fine margins, with the Buckeyes eventually moving on in the College Football Playoff with a 28-14 win.

Ohio television sportscaster Adam King said the tide shifted in the Buckeyes' favor on a critical play.

"This play won't be talked about in a few years, it won't be on the highlight reel, but it may have changed the game. Ryan Day said the plan was to go if they got some positive yardage on 3rd down. Gee Scott fought for an extra five yards; it completely changed the 4th down," King posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The Buckeyes (13-2) took off from there and sealed the win against the spirited Longhorns (13-3).

Ohio State Buckeyes are favorites in the CFP national championship game

According to CBS Sports, the Buckeyes are 8.5-point favorites against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 College Football Playoff national championship game.

The sixth-ranked Buckeyes enter the game fresh off wins over the Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks and Texas Longhorns. At the same time, the third-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1) beat the Indiana Hoosiers, Georgia Bulldogs and Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Buckeyes have been at their dominant best since a surprising loss to the unranked Michigan Wolverines at home in the last game of the regular season. They've dominated elite sides in the expanded CFP and earned their berth in the big game.

Will Howard and Jeremiah Smith are a lethal combo, and their partnership should be on full display against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Marcus Freeman and his coaching crew will be hard at work devising a defensive game plan for the Buckeyes.

How to watch Ohio State vs. Notre Dame?

The Ohio State versus Notre Dame game will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20. It will start at 7:30 p.m. ET and be broadcast via ESPN.

Here's what you need to know about the matchup:

• Date: Monday, Jan. 20
• Live stream: FuboTV and DAZN
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta

The announcers for the game are Chris Fowler (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst).