ATLANTA — For a fleeting moment in a game that seemed like a sure victory for Ohio State, the atmosphere turned tense.

The Buckeyes’ once-comfortable lead had shrunk from 31-7 to 31-23, and the ticking clock only added to the pressure. If Ohio State failed to secure another first down, Notre Dame would have a shot to not only tie the game but potentially pull off an incredible comeback.

“The defense was prepared to step back out if needed,” said safety Lathan Ransom. “We’re trained to handle these moments.”

Strangely, it appeared that Buckeyes coach Ryan Day was not aggressively pursuing the win.

They tried quarterback Will Howard on first down. No gain.

Another run on second down yielded the same result.

Were Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly playing it too safe? By the time they faced third-and-11, how bold would the Buckeyes be?

“The players were mentioning running down the clock, which I agreed was a good strategy,” Day noted. “But then I thought, there’s only one chance at a national championship each year; we have to go all out and be aggressive. And that’s exactly what we did.”

Having Jeremiah Smith certainly made a difference at that moment.

“We felt confident in Jeremiah for that play, and we discussed it throughout the week,” Day explained. “We hadn’t targeted him much, so it felt like the right time. With the game on the line, we decided to go for it.”

And they went for it. Notre Dame made the mistake of leaving defensive back Christian Gray isolated against an incredibly talented freshman receiver.

The outcome? It was something everyone watching should have predicted: a deep route along the right sideline, clear separation from Gray, and a perfect pass from Howard that Smith caught for a 56-yard gain.

Game over.

“They told me to stay alert and be patient,” Smith recalled. “I knew I needed to prepare myself to make a play.”

The choice made by Notre Dame can be debated indefinitely.

For much of the game, the Irish defense utilized zone coverage, which hadn’t proven effective. In the final moments, they reverted to man-to-man coverage, where they felt more secure.

The strategy from Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator Al Golden and head coach Marcus Freeman involved going all-in. They applied maximum pressure on Howard, hoping he wouldn’t connect with Smith.

“It was a make-or-break moment,” Freeman stated. “We believed the best way to stop them was to apply all our pressure. At some point, you have to trust that you can make a stop.

“There were moments in the second half we contained Smith in man coverage, but he’s a remarkable player. You can play zone, but he’ll find a way to exploit it. In man, he can still get open. It’s a very skilled offense, especially in that situation.”

Ultimately, Notre Dame opted to play the odds. The issue was that Smith, who had been effectively contained by Texas’ double coverage in the semifinals, is the type of talent who can often surpass expectations. He’s ready for the NFL right now.

“There are a number of different calls I could’ve made,” Golden remarked. “We were at our limits, knowing that allowing a first down could seal the game. The kid made an excellent play. In hindsight, I wish we could have stopped that play, but they executed well.”

On the sidelines at Ohio State, there was a mix of excitement and anxiety. Players felt the championship within reach as the clock neared two minutes with a fresh set of downs. Their position at the 10-yard line meant a short field goal would seal the victory.

“With Smith isolated, the chances of him making a play were high,” Ransom said. “We’ve seen him do it countless times. It’s incredible to think he still has two more years here.”

In an Ohio State locker room filled with the smell of cigars, Smith donned ski goggles and answered questions before joining the celebration. He reflected on a “difficult six-week” period that began after Ohio State’s defeat to Michigan but ultimately led this team to become national champions.

He wasn’t surprised that the game hinged on a play he had to execute.

“They adjusted their strategy,” Smith said. “They realized man coverage wasn’t effective, so they mixed it up and played some zone. But as the second half progressed, they reverted to man. When the last drive came, I was determined to break through.”

And he did. Moments later, Ohio State was finally able to celebrate their hard-earned victory.