History of the game: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State

The rivalry between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes is one that transcends the usual pageantry of college football. Both programs are steeped in rich history, tradition, and success, and when they meet on the field, it’s more than just a game; it’s a battle between two of the most iconic and storied programs in college football history. Though their matchups have been infrequent, the Notre Dame-Ohio State series is a showcase of elite athleticism, passionate fanbases, and the legacy of college football.

This article takes a deep dive into the history of the Notre Dame vs. Ohio State football rivalry, examining its roots, memorable moments, significant players, and how these two universities have shaped the landscape of college football through their encounters.

The Beginnings of the Rivalry

While Ohio State and Notre Dame are two of the most recognizable names in college football, their rivalry has never been one of the most consistently played matchups. Unlike traditional rivalries like Michigan-Ohio State or Alabama-Auburn, the Fighting Irish and the Buckeyes have not faced each other regularly on the football field. Historically, these teams have competed in separate conferences, with Notre Dame being an independent school until recently, and Ohio State being a long-time member of the Big Ten Conference.

Their first meeting came in 1921 when the two teams squared off in the Knute Rockne era at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish, under legendary head coach Rockne, were already well-established as one of the most dominant teams in college football by that time. Rockne’s success as both a coach and a marketing pioneer laid the foundation for Notre Dame’s national prominence, and the school began to develop its now-famous “Fighting Irish” identity.

Ohio State, on the other hand, had only recently begun to gain recognition as a powerhouse in the Big Ten. Under head coach John Wilce, the Buckeyes were beginning to turn heads, though they were not yet at the level of dominance they would achieve in later decades. The game itself was a rather low-scoring affair, with Notre Dame winning 19-0 in a contest that was more of a curiosity between two emerging football powers than the start of a long-standing rivalry.

Though it wasn’t the beginning of an annual rivalry, that first meeting was an important moment in the history of both programs. Notre Dame, with its history and national appeal, had established itself as a team that would travel far and wide to play against the best competition, while Ohio State was starting to build its legacy as a dominant force in the Big Ten. As the decades passed, the two programs would find themselves in different positions—Notre Dame often viewed as a national power and Ohio State asserting itself as one of the top teams in the Midwest and eventually across the nation.

The 1960s and 1970s: A Shift in National Power

The rivalry gained traction during the 1960s and 1970s, when both teams reached the peak of their powers and began to regularly contend for national championships. Ohio State, under the leadership of Woody Hayes, developed a hard-nosed, physical style of football that would dominate the Big Ten for much of the next two decades. Hayes, one of college football’s most iconic coaches, turned Ohio State into a perennial national contender. His focus on the running game and tough defense made the Buckeyes nearly impossible to stop, and their high-powered offense—led by players like Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner—put them on the map as one of the country’s top programs.

On the other hand, Notre Dame was experiencing its own golden era during this period. Under Ara Parseghian, the Fighting Irish not only maintained national prominence but became a force in the college football world once again. Parseghian’s squads boasted dynamic offensive playmakers, solid defense, and a level of discipline that helped them capture national championships in 1966 and 1973. Notre Dame’s national appeal and fanbase were growing, and its games were regularly broadcast nationwide, further solidifying its place as one of the sport’s most prestigious programs.

Despite their dominance during this era, Ohio State and Notre Dame rarely met on the field. The Irish, with their independent status, played a national schedule that often had them crossing the country to face a variety of opponents. Meanwhile, Ohio State was entrenched in Big Ten play, frequently facing off against teams like Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State.

However, during the 1978 Orange Bowl, Ohio State and Notre Dame found themselves facing each other in a postseason bowl game, which would go down as one of the most memorable meetings between the two programs. With both teams ranked in the top 10, the game had significant implications for national rankings, and the showdown between the two powerhouse programs lived up to the hype.

1978 Orange Bowl: Notre Dame defeated Ohio State 35-6, solidifying their place in college football lore. This game helped propel Notre Dame to a national championship under Parseghian and marked one of the high points of their rivalry with Ohio State.

1980s-1990s: The Rise of the Buckeyes

The 1980s and 1990s were marked by dominance from Ohio State, as they became a regular fixture in the Big Ten title race and consistently competed for national championships. Under the leadership of Earle Bruce and John Cooper, the Buckeyes were the gold standard in the Big Ten, and they began to assert themselves as one of the most successful programs in the country.

During this period, Ohio State continued to produce some of the nation’s most talented players, including running back Keith Byars and wide receiver Chris Carter. However, despite their success, Ohio State and Notre Dame did not meet again on the field during these decades, except for a few bowl games.

Notre Dame, for its part, had a few highs and lows during this period. The Fighting Irish maintained their status as one of the top independent programs, though they found themselves in a tough spot with the rise of powerhouse programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the growing influence of teams like Miami and Florida State in national football.

Modern Day: A Renewed Rivalry

In the modern era, the rivalry between Notre Dame and Ohio State has experienced something of a resurgence. The two teams met in 2006 in the BCS National Championship Game, marking their first meeting in a major postseason game in nearly three decades. The Buckeyes, led by Heisman Trophy finalist Troy Smith, were one of the nation’s best teams, boasting a dynamic offense and a stout defense. Notre Dame, coached by Charlie Weis, was also one of the top teams in the country, though they entered the game as underdogs.

2006 BCS National Championship Game: Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-20, securing a dominant victory in a game that was seen as an affirmation of their status as one of college football’s elite programs. Though the game didn’t live up to the expected hype in terms of competitiveness, it was a significant moment in the history of the rivalry.

That victory by Ohio State helped reinforce the idea that the Buckeyes were one of the premier programs in college football, while Notre Dame, despite its storied history, faced criticism for its inability to break through in the era of modern college football.

The rivalry heated up again as both teams began to play each other more regularly in the 2010s and into the current decade. With Urban Meyer leading Ohio State from 2012 to 2018, the Buckeyes returned to national championship contention, and their matchups with Notre Dame became highly anticipated. The Irish, coached by Brian Kelly, were also a force in the playoff era, and their 2020 season culminated in a CFP berth, where they faced off against top-tier programs like Alabama.

Though the rivalry has been sporadic in terms of regular-season matchups, recent years have seen the two teams renew their battle in high-profile games. In the age of the College Football Playoff (CFP), when the top four teams face off in a bracket-style postseason format, any meeting between these two programs is seen as a major event. In particular, a potential matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame in future playoff games would carry significant weight, with both teams vying for a chance to compete for the national championship.

Key Players in the Rivalry

Over the years, both programs have produced legendary players who have helped shape the rivalry and college football as a whole. On Ohio State’s side, names like Archie Griffin, Troy Smith, and Ezekiel Elliott have been synonymous with success. Griffin’s two Heisman Trophies and Smith’s dynamic leadership during the 2006 season were pivotal to the Buckeyes’ success in their respective eras.

For Notre Dame, players like Joe Montana, Tim Brown, and Lou Holtz have helped elevate the program to national prominence. Montana’s clutch performances in big games and Holtz’s leadership in the 1980s and 1990s have etched Notre Dame’s place in college football history.