NCAAF · 9 months ago

10 Players Who Will Define the College Football Championship Game

Jake Burkey

Host · Writer

10. LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 85 TOT, 51 SOLO, 2 SACKS, 2 FF

Jack Kiser will have the difficult task of stopping the run game of two soon-to-be NFL running backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Kiser will be playing in his last collegiate game, so expect him to be fired up.

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1. QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 2,606 yards, 66%, 19 TDs, 8 INTs

Riley Leonard has been good enough to help the Irish this far, but does the luck run out against a defense like Ohio State? He threw for over 200 yards against Penn State, but he also threw two interceptions. I think it’s very possible Leonard could struggle with his reads against this particular defense structure, which is why I have him ranked as the number one player who will define this game.

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2. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
2024 Stats: 71 rec, 1,227 yards, 17.3 AVG, 14 TDs

The freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith was quiet in the Buckeyes win over the Longhorns, but that could change against Notre Dame on Monday. I predict Smith will have a massive game with a pivotal touchdown and show the nation yet again that he is a problem to reckon with.
3. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 159 car, 1,122 yards, 7.1 AVG, 17 TDs

If the Irish want to win this game, they NEED Jeremiyah Love to have a big night. A few days before the Buckeyes played Texas, Love commented to the media that he “wants the Buckeyes” and continued by saying he wants to beat “the best." Well, it’s happening, and he’s got to prove it.
4. RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
2024 Stats: 132 car, 967 yards, 7.3 AVG, 10 TDs

TreVeyon Henderson was outstanding so far in the playoffs, specifically against the Longhorns, where he had a 75-yard receiving touchdown right before halftime. If Will Howard can continue properly using Henderson in the passing game, look out.
5. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
2024 Stats: 76 TOT, 43 SOLO, 6 PD, 2 INT

Star safety Caleb Downs, brother of Colts wideout Josh Downs, was a big reason for the Buckeyes' goal line stand against Texas in the final minutes of the Cotton Bowl. This guy makes plays all over the field, repeatedly preventing explosive runs. He must do it again, limiting Jeremiyah Love's and Riley Leonard's run ability.

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6. WR Jaden Greathouse, Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 36 rec, 464 yards, 12.9 AVG, 2 TDs

Jaden Greathouse had a huge game last week against Penn State with 105 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches. He must do it again if the Irish want to beat the Buckeyes.
7. QB Will Howard, Ohio State
2024 Stats: 3,779 yards, 73%, 33 TDs, 10 INTs

Will Howard has been solid for the Buckeyes in this playoff stretch. He looks calm, poised in the pocket, and throws well, getting the ball to his top playmakers. If this continues, Ohio State will win, and Howard will be a big reason.
8. S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 75 TOT, 47 SOLO, 8 PD, 1 FF, 6 INT

Xavier Watts is having a career season, and has been an important leader for the Notre Dame defense. He’s second in college football this season in interceptions with six, so keep a close eye on him to have a big game because the Irish need it.
9. WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
2024 Stats: 75 rec, 947 yards, 12.6 AVG, 10 TDs

This will be Emeka Egbuka's last game in college, and we know he wants to go out a National Champion. The reason he’s this far back is because we know what to expect. He will make plays like he does every single weekend. If Smith gets double-teamed, Egbuka will find himself more open, and he can turn space into big yards.
10. LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 85 TOT, 51 SOLO, 2 SACKS, 2 FF

Jack Kiser will have the difficult task of stopping the run game of two soon-to-be NFL running backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Kiser will be playing in his last collegiate game, so expect him to be fired up.

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1. QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 2,606 yards, 66%, 19 TDs, 8 INTs

Riley Leonard has been good enough to help the Irish this far, but does the luck run out against a defense like Ohio State? He threw for over 200 yards against Penn State, but he also threw two interceptions. I think it’s very possible Leonard could struggle with his reads against this particular defense structure, which is why I have him ranked as the number one player who will define this game.

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10 Players Who Will Define the College Football Championship Game

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