GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Ohio State and Notre Dame entered the season with legitimate national championship hopes and were still in the mix for the College Football Playoff late in the year.
To have those hopes dashed, particularly after coming so close, was a huge disappointment for both programs.
It worked out pretty well for the Fiesta Bowl with a marquee matchup that's as good as any outside of the three playoff games.
And, despite falling short of their main objectives, the seventh-ranked Buckeyes and eighth-ranked Fighting Irish insist they're excited to be in the desert.