Aussies fly flag in College Football Playoff National Championship Live Tuesday on ESPN – Two famous names from Australian Rules football will fly the flag in their new code, as part of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Ohio State and Notre Dame, live Tuesday on ESPN.
College Football’s biggest prize will go on the line this Tuesday January 21 between Ohio State and Notre Dame.
The 2025 College championship showdown will have an Australian flavour, with Joe McGuire, son of AFL identity Eddie McGuire, and James Rendell, the son of late Fitzroy great Matthew Rendell featuring on opposing sides.
McGuire is Ohio State’s punter and Rendell fills the same role for Notre Dame, with the two famed colleges meeting for the national championship.
Notre Dame secured their spot in the College championship after defeating Penn State 27-24 in a thriller. Ohio State showed class in a solid 28-14 victory in the Cotton Bowl.
The Fighting Irish are aiming for its first title since 1988. Ohio State – the Buckeyes won the first CFP championship a decade ago.
Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Ohio State’s Ryan Day are also aiming for their first championships as head coaches, and Freeman’s past will be in the spotlight.
Freeman will face his alma mater — he was an All-Big Ten linebacker for Ohio State under coach Jim Tressel — with everything on the line.
The last two matchups between Ohio State and Notre Dame have seen the Buckeyes win both encounters.
The College Football Playoff National Championship will kick off live at 11.45am AEDT Tuesday on ESPN.
New to this year’s presentation of the College Football Playoff is the integration of MindFly technology during the National Championship.
ESPN will place MindFly Bodycams on three on-field officials (umpire, center judge and head linesman) to bring viewers unprecedented, decisive shots of close plays throughout the championship.
ESPN’s camera complement will include dedicated cameras on Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman at all times, as well as unique camera placements providing views of the teams as they enter the field.
More than 100 microphones will be placed throughout the stadium, capturing the sounds of the game and atmosphere of the crowd, enhancing the game telecast.
ESPN’s Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call their 11th straight CFP National Championship together, and their second in Atlanta, concluding their 29th college football season as a commentating team. Reporters Holly Rowe (Ohio State) and Molly McGrath (Notre Dame) will provide news and insight from the sidelines, as the duo returns to the ESPN telecast for the fourth consecutive year.
ESPN will provide wall to wall coverage of the College Football spectacle, with extensive coverage from 9am AEDT Tuesday morning, led by College GameDay.
For those looking for an alternative broadcast of the championship game, Field Pass – The Pat McAfee Show will air from 11.45am AEDT on ESPN2.
Returning in 2025, the fan favorite Field Pass will lead the MegaCast offerings from this year’s National Championship on ESPN2.
Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show will offer entertaining, free-flowing commentary of the CFP National Championship Game, anchored by Pat McAfee, who will roam the sidelines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
McAfee will call the action from the unique vantage point, joined by AJ Hawk, Darius Butler, Connor Campbell, Ty Schmit and Tone Digs, as well as a rotation of ESPN analysts, notable personalities, and celebrities throughout the game.
Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show delivered the largest audience for any ESPN alternate telecast from the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Tuesday January 21
9am AEDT, College GameDay, ESPN
11.30am AEDT, College Football Pregame Showcase, ESPN
11.45am AEDT, College Football Playoff National Championship: Ohio State vs Notre Dame, ESPN
11.45am AEDT, Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN2
3.15pm AEDT, College Football Post Game, ESPN
ESPN and ESPN2 is available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
Media Release – ESPN
Link to ESPN HERE
TV Central ESPN content HERE
Aussies fly flag in College Football Playoff National Championship Live Tuesday on ESPN
