ESPN announced an average of 22.1 million viewers tuned in to watch Ohio State beat Notre Dame 34-23 in championship game for the College Football

That comes on the heels of massive audiences for Ohio State’s other CFP games. The first-round game against Tennessee resulted in 14.3 million, followed by the Rose Bowl vs. Oregon that had 21.1 million viewers. The Cotton Bowl against Texas attracted 19.9 million eyeballs.

The Ohio State-Notre Dame game Monday delivered ratings good enough to make it the second-most watched sporting event of the past year.

The early betting favorite to win next year’s national championship is Ohio State. The question nobody can really answer at this time is what sort of game will the Buckeyes or anyone else return to when they kick it off again seven months from now.

The college football may have just ended, but that isn't stopping the machine from continuing to roll. Here are the way-too-early rankings for 2025.

Ohio State comes in ahead of the best the SEC has to offer and Big Ten rival Penn State to lead the way in the USA TODAY Sports way-too-early Top 25 for the 2025 season. The No. 1 Buckeyes have to replace quarterback Will Howard but will be able to surround the new starter with an elite collection of skill talent headlined by star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.