ATLANTA — Ryan Day was a coach who was walking dead.
His roster, reportedly worth $20 million in name, image and recognition, is a waste of a generation of talent.
Tennessee was looking to dominate a fading Ohio State in its own stadium in the opening game of the expanded College Football Playoff.
Those stories seem ridiculous, even ridiculous, now. That loss against Michigan at the Horseshoe feels like forever ago.
From the third week of December to the third week of January, there was a big change for these Buckeyes. Day is a national champion and so are his players.
That loss against Michigan is now a footnote to championship glory and not the way this elite group will be remembered.
No. 8 seed Ohio State held off brave Notre Dame 34-23 in front of a crowd of 77,660 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ending a dominant playoff run en route to its first title in 10 years. Finished the expansion.
Overall, the Buckeyes won their four playoff contests against No. 1 Oregon, No. 5 Texas, No. 7 Notre Dame, and No. 8 Tennessee by a combined score of 145-75.
The Irish once trailed by 24 points early in the second half, but fought back late. However, the defense, which ranks second in scoring, was battered all night and was unable to get the ball back.
On third-and-11, Will Howard hit great freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith on a 59-yard go route, ending a memorable night for the Kansas State-bound quarterback and freezing the title with a two-minute warning. .
Howard set a CFP national championship game record with 13 consecutive completions to open the night, and his final pitch made him an Ohio State legend.
The Irish scored first and used up nearly 10 minutes remaining. That was the only reason Notre Dame fans were rooting for him until his late return.
The Buckeyes parried the jab like it was a tap of love. They scored touchdowns on all three first-half possessions and outscored the Irish 231-93 at halftime.
After that promising first drive, Notre Dame managed just 18 yards.
Howard completed just two of his 16 pass attempts in the first half while completing passes to six different receivers.
He had to keep throwing all day long, and his receivers were running free around the Irish secondary. The Buckeyes faced six third downs in the first half, but converted all of them.
Howard made the first one on Ohio State's first ball and Smith made it, and the two connected from eight yards to go to tie the game at 7-7.
Smith was in full swing in his apartment. This was a foreshadowing for Notre Dame. It was a foretaste of what was to come. With 27 seconds left in the second quarter, Howard found Quinshon Judkins wide open for a 6-yard scoring attempt, but Notre Dame's flickering hopes were dealt a huge blow.
The situation did not improve after halftime. On the second play from scrimmage, Judkins cut back and went 70 yards before being cornered at the Notre Dame 5-yard line.
Three plays later, he scored from 1 yard left to give Ohio State a 28-7 lead.
Notre Dame tried a trick on its next drive, but a fake punt backfired, giving Ohio State more points.
Despite the Irish holding, Jayden Fielding made a 46-yard field goal try. At 31-7, it looked like we were going to lose.
Notre Dame has looked like this often on this stage with Brian Kelly as coach. It was punching above its weight class, or at least trying to be.
The Irish tried to rally and got within two scores on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Riley Leonard to Jayden Greathouse.
After an Emeka Egbuka fumble, Notre Dame drove deep inside the Ohio State boundary but stalled at the 9-yard line.
Marcus Freeman elected to go for a field goal with 9:27 left, but it was a strange call, and kicker Mitch Jeter missed the goal post on a 27-yard try.
But Notre Dame kept fighting, getting a touchdown from Leonard to Greathouse, another 30-yard touchdown, and a two-point conversion.
There was still 4:15 left on the clock. However, Notre Dame was unable to get the ball back. Howard and Smith wouldn't let that happen.
