After eight straight years of having at least one Southeastern Conference (SEC) team compete in the College Football Playoff national championship game, we’re now going back to back without an SEC team.
Could the expanded playoff actually work out and bring a little parity to college football?
On Monday, Jan. 20, Notre Dame and Ohio State will square off for the national championship, making it the first time ever between the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and CFB Playoff era that two Midwest programs have met.
The BCS was in place for 16 seasons between 1998 and 2013, before the first four-team playoff began in 2014.
With two programs battling that boarder Michigan, there are plenty of ties to the mitten state within each program.
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Notre Dame features the most players and coaches from Michigan, including a pair out of Traverse City in starting defensive end Joshua Burnham and linebackers coach, Max Bullough.
A victory for Notre Dame Monday would bring its first national title since 1988, while OSU can earn its first since 2014.
A win for the Buckeyes would bring the first time the Big Ten Conference has claimed back to back titles since Michigan State did so in 1965 and 1966.
Michigan ties in national championship game:
Notre Dame
No. 2. Rod Heard II, senior, S — Farmington Hills, MI (Harrison HS) (Northwestern)
No. 86 CB at Farmington Hills Harrison (247sports). MLive, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News all-state.
Started 18 games at Northwestern. Transfered to Notre Dame in 2024.
15 games played in 2024. 36 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
No. 12. CJ Carr, freshman, QB — Saline, MI (Saline HS)
No. 5 QB at Saline High School (247sports), No. 38 overall player in class of 2024.
Three-time first team all-state. Competed in All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
Grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr.
No. 40. Joshua Burnham, junior, DL — Traverse City, MI (TC Central HS)
No. 5 LB at Traverse City Central (247sports), No. 68 overall player in class of 2021.
Led TC Central to 2021 Division 2 state championship game as a quarterback and linebacker. Michigan 2021 Gatorade Football Player of the Year. Competed in Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
13 games played, 9 starts in 2024. 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
No. 42. Henry Garrity, sophomore, TE — Bloomfield Hills, MI (Brother Rice HS)
No. 94 TE at Brother Rice (247sports). Three star tight end recruit.
Walked on at Notre Dame despite offers from Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Air Force.
No. 46. Jake Tafelski, senior, RB — Dearborn, MI (Dearborn HS) (Central Michigan)
Two star RB recruit, transfer from Central Michigan.
One carry for two yards in 2024. Seven games played in 2024.
More:Who will win Notre Dame vs. Ohio State national championship game? Our expert predictions
No. 50. Rocco Spindler, junior, OL — Clarkston, MI (Clarkston HS)
No. 1 OG at Clarkston High School (247sports), No. 64 overall player in class of 2021. Invited to Under Armour All-American game.
Father Marc Spindler drafted by Detroit Lions, played nine NFL seasons between Lions and Jets.
15 games played in 2024, 12 starts along the offensive line.
Mike Denbrock — Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach
Hometown: Homer, MI (Homer HS)
Grand Valley State graduate and former tight end (1982-85) Has previously coached at Grand Valley and Michigan State.
Max Bullough — Linebackers Coach
Hometown: Traverse City, MI (TC St. Francis)
Michigan State All-Big Ten linebacker (2010-13). Brothers Riley and Byron also each played for Michigan State as linebackers, while sister Holly competed for the MSU track and field team.
Played four seasons in the NFL for Houston and Cleveland.
Ohio State
No. 39. Hadi Jawad, senior, P — Dearborn, MI (Dearborn HS) (Wayne State)
Transfered to Ohio State from Wayne State in 2024. Averaged 40.1 yards a punt at Wayne State.
No. 58. Gabe VanSickle, freshman, OL — Coopersville, MI (Coopersville HS)
No. 17 OG at Coopersville High School (247sports). Four star prospect in class of 2024.
Has not seen action. Redshirting in 2024.
More:‘Little Animal,’ Jim Tressel, Troy Smith: What Ohio State life was like for Marcus Freeman
Brent Zdebski — Quality Control Coach, Defense
Hometown: Walled Lake, MI (Walled Lake Western)
Kalamazoo College linebacker (’12). Previously coached at Central Michigan (’17) and Eastern Michigan (’16).
Gerren DuHart — Program Assistant, Defense
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Started 40 games at Wayne State (Mich.) (2011-14) Was a graduate assistant at Wayne State and the same for Michigan State.
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