ATLANTA -- "Think traditionally, but without traditional thinking." Those were the words of Ross Bjork, the still-new Ohio State athletic director during the Saturday morning media day ahead of Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Valentina Martinez: The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish are set to face off in the College Football Playoff National Championship. This game is a tale of two defenses, but Ohio State will take home the glory. Ricardo Sandoval: The championship match is as highly profiled as one can be while also being one that no one expected.

The first champion of the 12-team College Football Playoff era will be crowned Monday night as Ohio State and Notre Dame face off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It is a rematch of a 2023 regular-season thriller,