Title: Ohio State Outspends Notre Dame in CFP Championship with a $20 Million Roster, Securing the Victory
The Ohio State Buckeyes dominated the College Football National Championship against Notre Dame Fighting Irish, ultimately winning 34-23. Notre Dame managed to keep the game close, but the Buckeyes held a lead throughout, with a significant talent disparity between the two teams.
The Buckeyes' roster boasted four potential first-round draft picks for 2025, while Notre Dame's top draft prospect, Benjamin Morrison, was sidelined due to injury. The Buckeyes' financial advantage in the NIL and transfer portal era was evident, reportedly having $20 million worth of players, compared to Notre Dame's $1.7 million.
However, it's essential to note that the game outcome didn't solely rely on NIL deals. Ohio State's coach Ryan Day dismissed any suggestions to the contrary, emphasizing the team's strong return of players and long-term commitment. Notre Dame, though limited financially, prided itself on traditional values, culture, and charity work, reflecting the university's identity.
The NIL and transfer portal era have drastically changed college football's landscape, with top programs, such as Ohio State, Texas, and Oregon, leveraging significant donations and NIL money to attract top players and garner success. This shift in focus has resulted in teams mostly assembled through monetary means, making champions mostly reflect the school with the most funding and NIL deals.
Sources:
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- Lopez, D., & Parkins, L. (2021, July 28). How the NCAA NIL rules changes could affect college football. ESPN. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32146276/how-ncaa-name-image-likeness-rules-changes-affect-college-football
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- Brady Quinn, a Notre Dame Fighting Irish alumnus and former NFL quarterback, critiqued the financial disparity between the Buckeyes and Irish, arguing that it impacts the fairness of College Football National Championship matches.
- Ryan Day, Ohio State Buckeyes coach, credited the team's success in the championship to their strong return of players and long-term commitment, discrediting the notion that monetary advantages were the sole determinant.
- In the wake of the championship game, Drew Brees, a renowned NFL quarterback, praised the Buckeyes' exceptional performance and suggested that their dominance could continue into future NCAA Football seasons.
- Will Howard, a highly-rated quarterback prospect from Notre Dame, expressed his intentions to utilize his NIL rights in order to support various charities and community projects, aligning with the Fighting Irish's tradition of charity work and social responsibility.
