ATLANTA -- "Think traditionally, but without traditional thinking." Those were the words of Ross Bjork, the still-new Ohio State athletic director during the Saturday morning media day ahead of Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Soon after Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman was promoted from defensive coordinator in December 2021, pregame Mass at the Basilica was reinstated.

Speaking at media day Saturday in advance of the national title game, Pete Bevacqua, in his first year guiding the Notre Dame athletic department, called the premiere of the 12-team playoff “a wonderful success, but look at who you’re talking to.”