The longest season in college football history has reached its end, which means even Ohio State and Notre Dame now turn their attention to the 2025-26 campaign in an effort to get back to the national championship game again next year.
The fact the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish made it to this point is a testament to the talent on their rosters, including some stars who'll be back next season. Notre Dame has a young offensive line to build around and some terrific talent in the secondary. Ohio State might have the most dynamic wide receiver in the country wrapping up his freshman year in Jeremiah Smith. The Irish and the Buckeyes will enter next season as likely top-10 squads with sights set on the title.
But that doesn't mean there's not a lot of work to do. Many of this season's biggest names -- from Mitchell Evans and Jack Kiser to Emeka Egbuka and Jack Sawyer -- will be moving on to the NFL. Both schools have to figure out what their QB room will look like next season, and both will have assistant coaches in high demand for other jobs. Then there's the issue of a transfer portal window that has been open for business for everyone else for nearly two months but that begins anew for Notre Dame and Ohio State. The college football calendar runs 365 days, and while the ride to a national championship game has been thrilling, it also has put both teams a few weeks behind everyone else when it comes to plotting out the future.
A runner-up campaign for Notre Dame and a national title for Ohio State warrant celebration. But once the last of the confetti is vacuumed off the Caesars Superdome turf, the real work begins. -- David Hale
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