Alright, the stage is set. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the home of Atlanta Falcons, 20, lights shining brighter than a full moon on Bourbon Street. Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, a man on a mission, stands one game away from legendary status. He’s already rewriting the Fighting Irish playbook, leading his team to the championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The real question is: Can Freeman do what no one’s expecting, pulling a Dabo Swinney and taking down the school that built him? The football gods have got some cooking to do on January 20th.

Marcus Freeman’s planning to join Dabo Swinney in the ultra-exclusive ‘beat your alma mater in a title game’ club. Dabo Swinney beat his Alma Mater (Bama) in 2017 & 2019. Prime Dabo Swinney (2015-2021) was on a demonic run. Anyway, Marcus Freeman’s connection to Ohio State runs deep. This ain’t just another opponent; it’s family. The man bled scarlet and gray as a linebacker from 2004 to 2008, racking up 264 tackles and 23 sacks, and also got 2 picks in his resume like it was light work. He even hit the books hard enough to snag a master’s in sports management from OSU in 2011 and got drafted in the 5th round by the Bears.

Marcus Freeman’s NFL dream got cut short with a heart issue. It had him go back to his roots, starting his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Jim Tressel. Ain’t gonna lie, haven’t heard that name like in a minute. Anyway, fast forward to now, and he’s rocking Notre Dame’s sidelines like a general leading his troops into battle.

But let’s not act like Freeman’s had it easy. Ohio State owned him in every matchup. Freeman was 0-2 against his former squad. Plus, OSU’s got history on its side, leading the all-time series 6-2, including a clean 2-0 record in bowl games. That’s not just a hill to climb; that’s Mount Everest. Yet, if there’s one thing Freeman’s proved this season, don’t sleep on Marcus Freeman and his Subway Alumni. Notre Dame is rolling into Atlanta at 14-1, powered by a generational run that’s got fans dreaming of a championship for the first time since 1988.

Marcus Freeman and Ryan Day: Last Two Men Standing

Now, let’s talk about Ryan Day. The Ohio State head coach shares more with Freeman than just a Buckeye connection. Both these legends know what it’s like to face heartbreak. Ohio State’s lone loss came in a 13-10 nail-biter to Michigan, while Notre Dame got stunned by Northern Illinois way back in September. But here they are, battle-tested and bruised, leading their squads to the biggest stage in college football.

Day’s Buckeyes are chasing their first national title since the College Football Playoff era began in 2014. Ohio State’s program history is littered with hardware—five AP national titles and eight overall. Freeman, on the flip side hand, is trying to add a 12th championship banner to Notre Dame’s rafters, snapping a drought that stretches back 36 long years. It’s more than a game for both men; it’s legacy-defining.

This matchup ain’t just about Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. It’s bigger than Big Ten vs. independent or shutting the SEC out of the championship for the second straight year. This is a showdown between two coaches who’ve weathered storms, defied odds, and rallied their teams when it mattered most. Freeman’s got a chance to make history, not just for Notre Dame, but for himself and become 1st Black-Asian national championship winning coach.

Will he pull a Dabo and take down the school that made him? Or will Ohio State’s juggernaut roll on, adding another chapter to its storied history? One thing’s for sure—Jan. 20 in Atlanta is about to be a movie.