That’s one advantage of the new 12-team playoff era. Teams can learn from their mistakes. But it takes a special coaching staff and special group of players to capitalize on lessons learned. They believe they can beat anyone, even if they appear outmatched.

The Buckeyes would be wise to control the running game on offense in their pursuit of college football's ultimate prize

The two most recent Buckeyes victories came in 2022 and 2023. Ohio State won 21-10 in ’22 and then scored with one second left in South Bend to grab a 17-14 victory last season. The Irish had only 10 players on the field on the winning 1-yard touchdown run, leaving a bitter taste in the team’s mouth.