SIGNIFICANT UPDATE: Officials for Ohio State-Notre Dame National Title Game Hit With SEC Twist

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the final teams in the 2024 College Football Playoff, set to clash in the National Championship Game next week. Officiating will play a crucial role in this matchup, and it was announced on Monday that the referees would bring an SEC flair to the game. The Buckeyes bounced back from a surprising loss to the Michigan Wolverines at the end of the regular season, defeating the Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks, and Texas Longhorns to secure their spot in the title game.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish triumphed over the Indiana Hoosiers, Georgia Bulldogs, and Penn State Nittany Lions to earn their matchup with Ohio State. Every aspect of this championship game is vital, especially the officiating team. On Monday, it was confirmed that an SEC all-star officiating crew, led by Steve Marlowe, who officiated Penn State’s earlier CFP victory against Boise State, would oversee the game. As reported by Brett McMurphy on X (formerly Twitter), “SEC officials will work Monday’s College Football Playoff national title game between Ohio State and Notre Dame. It’s the same crew that officiated the Fiesta Bowl matchup between Penn State and Boise State.”

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Although neither team is from the SEC, the CFP committee turned to that conference when selecting officials for this matchup. Neither Ohio State nor Notre Dame has faced this officiating crew this season, which helps ensure that neither team gains an unfair advantage. The crew has experience officiating significant SEC games, which will be beneficial for managing this crucial matchup. Ideally, the outcome of the game won’t hinge on penalties, but since that has happened in the past, it’s important for the crew to maintain control during the contest. Ohio State and Notre Dame are set to compete in the National Championship Game on Monday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m. EST.