Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles responded Saturday during to the rumors linking him to OU's opening.

The Buckeyes defensive coordinator is focused on beating Notre Dame for the national championship, but he's long been rumored to be on Brent Venables' wish list.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was asked about rumors connecting him to an opening with Oklahoma football. Here's what he said.

Jim Knowles has a pretty good gig at Ohio State, but could he be lured to OU? Why the defensive coordinator move isn't completely impossible.

The Buckeyes are now set to take on coach Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame Fighting Irish, whom they beat 17-14 last season, for the national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s what defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said Tuesday about the Fighting Irish, and more: Knowles gave a humorous response to the team’s goal line stand. He said that on the third down play, the team was in a red zone coverage that they hadn’t used before, and on the fourth down play, they kept it the same.

Both Notre Dame and Ohio State feature a first year offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator who has almost completed their third year at the helm. One of the best parts about the National Championship game,

“We have to outplay their defense,” Knowles said Tuesday in Columbus. The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish meet Monday in Atlanta for the national championship. Ohio State is favored by 8.5 points. These 2 schools allow the fewest points per game in the country. Notre Dame also leads the nation in takeaways.

Ohio State’s run to the National Championship has been a special one and one more win would cap off the Buckeyes’ first title in a decade. The Buckeyes have gotten a strong showing from both the offense and defense throughout the playoff.