Ohio State captured its first national championship since 2014 with a win over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship, but the Buckeyes' path to a preseason No. 1 ranking in 2025 won't be easy.

By beating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 on a frigid Atlanta night, Ohio State has the right to tell everyone in the country they have the best football team. This was a team that needed a swift kick in the rear end by arch rival Michigan to light the fire inside them we all knew was there all along.

The Buckeyes are No. 1 after their national championship win, but which team is between them and runner-up Notre Dame?

Ohio State’s run to its first national championship in a decade enabled the Buckeyes to dominate the Associated Press’ all-College Football Playoff team

It's never too early to look ahead to the next college football season. Here's a look at the top matchups of a loaded schedule to start 2025: