QB Will Howard says Ohio State's "truth-telling" loss to Michigan in November has continued to fuel the Buckeyes throughout the College Football Playoff.

Velazquez has been at Ohio State long enough to know and respect one simple rule around his teammates: Do not say the word "Michigan."

Ohio State and Notre Dame each have a top-two scoring defense and both narrowly pulled away in their respective semifinals thanks to their defense forcing a pivotal turnover. However, the Buckeyes hold the clear offensive edge over the Irish with weapons like Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith and TreVeyon Henderson. Ohio State 35, Notre Dame 17

The College Football Playoff is down to its final game, as Notre Dame and Ohio State meet in Atlanta, Ga. with the national championship on the line on Monday night. The Fighting Irish aim to end a long title drought by winning their first title since 1988.