In a roller-coaster season, the Irish took a deep dive early before slowly ascending over the last four months. They entered 2024 with postseason aspirations and an intriguing roster, led by Duke transfer Riley Leonard at quarterback, an explosive running back in Jeremiyah Love and a formidable defense. It lasted two weeks.

No one is going to mistake blue bloods Notre Dame and Ohio State for a Cinderella, but the winner of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship will complete one of the greatest redemption arcs in modern college football history.

College football will have consecutive national champions from outside the Sun Belt region for the first time in three decades if Ohio State beats Texas in a playoff semifinal this week.

Notre Dame (14-1) and Ohio State (13-2) will meet on Jan. 20 in Atlanta to claim the first championship of the 12-team CFP.

The College Football Playoff committee let Channel 2 Action News get a closer look at the trophy. Officials brought it to our midtown Atlanta studios on Thursday.

Now, we've got one more game left. On Monday night in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), Ohio State, a nearly 10-point favorite, will seek its first national title in 10 years while underdog Notre Dame will seek its first in 36.

College Football Playoff national championship game odds, predictions, picks for Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday, Jan. 20.