The College Football National Championship game, set for January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, features a compelling regional clash between two powerhouse Midwestern teams: Ohio State and Notre Dame. Although it’s a battle between familiar programs, the matchup is drawing increasing national attention, particularly as coaches Ryan Day of Ohio State and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame prepare their teams for the highly anticipated showdown.
On Wednesday, Lou Holtz, the legendary former Notre Dame coach, once again entered the media spotlight with comments that quickly stirred controversy. Holtz, who previously criticized Ohio State’s toughness, made a bold statement regarding the security of Ryan Day’s position as head coach of the Buckeyes as they head into the national title game. Holtz remarked, “If Notre Dame doesn’t win, it’s because we want to preserve Ryan Day’s job,” a remark that seemed to take a subtle jab at Day’s leadership, sparking a new wave of conversation leading into the game.
The comments from Holtz didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, they were met with enthusiastic support from a familiar voice in the college football world: Dave Portnoy. The University of Michigan superfan, Barstool Sports founder, and outspoken Buckeye rival voiced his agreement with Holtz’s sentiment in a four-word message posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Talk to ‘em coach!!!” Portnoy tweeted, amplifying Holtz’s statement just days before the championship game. Portnoy, who has been vocal about his belief that Ohio State’s loss to Michigan in November continues to overshadow their national title pursuit, appeared to relish the added drama.
The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State has long been one of the most heated in college football, and Portnoy’s allegiance to Michigan is well known. In response to Portnoy’s post, a fan humorously pointed out, “It is cute to see Michigan and Notre Dame teaming up. They have combined played for three titles in 25 years… Big Ten’s breadwinner is busy preparing for our 6th championship game.” This remark hinted at Michigan’s own championship aspirations and its recent dominance in the Big Ten, positioning the Wolverines as the “breadwinner” of the conference.
On the other hand, Holtz’s comments were met with strong support from Notre Dame fans, some of whom rallied behind the Hall of Fame coach. One fan expressed their unwavering loyalty, saying, “Irish all the way!!!” while another passionately referred to Holtz as a “LEGEND,” praising him for his role in leading Notre Dame to its most recent national title in 1988. Holtz’s words appear to have reignited the intense passion that surrounds both Notre Dame and the rivalry between the Fighting Irish and Ohio State.
As the championship game approaches, the buzz surrounding Holtz’s comments and the ongoing rivalry dynamics adds even more intrigue to what is already shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Ohio State and Notre Dame are both storied programs with rich histories, and their meeting in the national title game has sparked widespread conversation that extends well beyond the gridiron. With both fanbases eager to claim the championship and the drama surrounding Ryan Day’s job security continuing to capture attention, this title game promises to be much more than just a football contest. It is an event that blends legacy, rivalry, and high stakes into one of the most anticipated matchups in recent college football history.
