Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman faced questions about their capabilities to lead prominent teams just over a year ago.

As far as coaches Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame and Ryan Day of Ohio State are concerned, those dramatic pregame speeches that inspire a football team to victory are the stuff of Hollywood.

Ohio State Buckeyes head football coach Ryan Day has amassed an incredible 68-6 record against teams not named the Michigan Wolverines. Since taking charge in Columbus during the 2

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks with 10TV's Dom Tiberi ahead of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Chip Kelly is pretty joyful about Ryan Day proving doubters wrong throughout this College Football Playoff. It was the doomsday scenario for Ohio State after losing to Michigan. They would host a first round game,

This has been a season unlike any other for Ryan Day emotionally. Less than two months ago, loud and influential media voices were calling for the firing of the nation’s winningest active coach in the wake of Ohio State’s fourth straight loss to Michigan.

According to Joey Kaufman at The Columbus Dispatch, head coach Ryan Day receives a $50,000 bonus if Ohio State has a 3.0 GPA, a $100,000 bonus if the Buckeyes earn a 3.3 GPA and a $150,000 bonus if Ohio State has a 3.5 GPA.

The Fighting Irish advanced to the game by beating No. 6 Penn State 27-24 in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman had extra motivation before the CFP semifinal, becoming " angry " after Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin poked fun at the now 39-year-old coach's youth.

For all the flag-planting of rivalry week, Ohio State is proving teams can overcome multiple losses (including the big one) on way to glory.

The relationship between the Ohio State fan base and head football coach Ryan Day has been strained to say the least. To those outside Columbus, it's been almost laughable considering the Buckeyes have been viewed as perennial national title contenders as long as he's been at the helm.

Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter overcame lingering hip and groin injuries in the nick of time. He was just 6 for 12 on field goals in the regular season. He is 7 of 8 in three playoff games, and his 41-yarder with seven seconds left gave the Fighting Irish a 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl semifinal.