COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - The day has arrived and will be looked back on fondly by either Ohio State or Notre Dame fans forever. The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish meet Monday night in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This will mark the first title game under a 12-team playoff as each team enters without a championship in at least 10 seasons. What to know about Ohio State in the national championship game Despite regular season losses to Oregon and Michigan, Ohio State has been the most dominant team in the playoff, with double-digit victories over Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas to get to Atlanta. Notre Dame has not been beaten since a shocking early loss to Northern Illinois and faces the Buckeyes on a 13-game winning streak. The Fighting Irish knocked off Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State to make their first title game since 2012. How to watch Monday's game will kick off at 7:45 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN. It will be streamed on ESPN's website and app but can only be accessed with a cable subscription. You will not be able to watch the game with an antenna. ESPN will offer alternate telecasts with Pat McAfee's Field Pass broadcast on ESPN2, the Command Center broadcast on ESPNU, SkyCast on ESPNews and ESPN's website offering the game with Ohio State or Notre Dame radio. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 2: CFP, ESPN branding on TV camera before the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 2, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) Final preparations underway for Ohio State, Notre Dame ahead of title tilt in Atlanta National championships The Buckeyes have won eight national titles in a variety of eras. From its most recent playoff national title in 2014 to being chosen by poll voters as the champions in 1942, Ohio State could become the ninth school to win nine national championships. Notre Dame has waited 36 years since being named consensus national champions in 1988 with an undefeated season. With 11 titles, the Irish are in a group with six other schools boasting double-digit national championships. A win Monday would put the Irish past USC and on par with Michigan, who took its 12th national title last season. History in Atlanta Monday marks just the second time Ohio State is playing a postseason game in Atlanta. The first came in 2022 when the Buckeyes fell in heartbreaking fashion, 42-41 to Georgia in a playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl on New Year's Eve. Coach Ryan Day and his team will hope to squash those tough memories. Comparing Ohio State and Notre Dame’s most recent championship teams Notre Dame has traversed across the U.S. in its over 100-year existence, playing in iconic baseball and football venues from coast to coast. It has even played a game in Dublin, Ireland. But Monday will be its first postseason game in the "Big Peach". ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 1: General view of tailgaters prior to the game between the Texas Longhorns and Arizona State Sun Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/CFP/Getty Images) Legendary players The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish have produced over 1,000 NFL draft picks and 24 Pro Football Hall of Famers combined, while each school has had seven Heisman Trophy winners. National championship betting: Does fortune favor Ohio State as the favorite? Ohio State boasts the only two-time Heisman winner with running back Archie Griffin, while Troy Smith, Eddie George, and Les Horvath are among others who've won. Some of the best receivers past and present wore the scarlet and gray, such as Cris Carter, Terry Glenn and Marvin Harrison Jr. Notre Dame's legends are among the most revered names in the game. Knute Rockne. Paul Hornung. Joe Montana. No school has produced more NFL draft picks or Pro Football Hall of Famers than Notre Dame, which also has dozens of alumni in the College Football Hall of Fame. Iconic classes With legendary schools come iconic classes with players that have been celebrated for generations. One hundred years ago, the Fighting Irish were led by the "Four Horsemen" under coach Rockne. The backfield of Harry Stuhldreher (Massillon, Ohio, native), Don Miller (Defiance, Ohio, native), Jim Crowley and Elmer Layden earned the nickname from sportswriter Grantland Rice as they mowed through opposition in their three seasons together and won the 1924 national title. Notre Dame Place in Columbus? Buckeyes fans look to put street’s name to shame Under coach Woody Hayes, the Buckeyes had their iconic class of super sophomores. Rex Kern, Jack Tatum, Jim Stillwagon, Bruce Janikowski, and more started at Ohio State for three seasons, winning the 1968 national championship and only losing two games in three seasons. 11 December 2009: The statue of the 'Four Horsemen of Notre Dame' stands in the foyer of the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, In***Editorial Usage Only*** (Photo by Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)College Football: Michigan Fritz Seyferth (32) in action, rushing vs Ohio State Jack Tatum (32) at Ohio Stadium.Columbus, OH 11/21/1970CREDIT: Heinz Kleutmeier (Photo by Heinz Kluetmeier /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)(Set Number: X15419 TK1 R1 F19 ) Biggest crossover Recent leaders of both Ohio State and Notre Dame football wore the opposite colors, most notably the Fighting Irish's coach. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman donned the scarlet and gray for five seasons as a linebacker. He was an all-Big Ten selection twice and was part of the 2006 and 2007 teams that made back-to-back national championship games. Which central Ohio schools will be closed the day after Ohio State plays Notre Dame Gene Smith, who retired as the Ohio State athletic director in June, played defensive end for Notre Dame in the mid-1970s. Smith won the 1973 title as a player and the 1977 championship as an assistant coach. Nov 03, 2007 - Columbus, Ohio, USA - The Wisconsin Badgers TYLER DONOVAN against the Ohio State Buckeyes MARCUS FREEMAN at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the football game 38-17. (Photo by Bob Leverone/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)College Football: Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame players Greg Hill (22) and Gene Smith (75) victorious during celebration after winning National Championship vs Alabama at Tulane Stadium. New Orleans, LA 12/31/1973 CREDIT: Rich Clarkson (Photo by Rich Clarkson /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X18296 TK1 ) Rudy vs. Johnny Utah The silver screen has depicted Notre Dame and Ohio State players, real and fictional. One of the most recognizable football films is "Rudy," starring Sean Astin as underdog Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger. The biographical film depicts the obstacles overcome by Ruettinger to suit up and play for Notre Dame and is considered one of the best sports films made. Local chaplain shares unique ties with both teams in national championship Did you know John Wick played quarterback at Ohio State? In two films? Early 1990s action thriller "Point Break" starred Keanu Reeves as Johnny Utah, a former Buckeyes signal caller turned FBI agent. Reeves also played ex-OSU QB Shane Falco in the 2000 comedy "The Replacements."