COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football will have cornerback Denzel Burke available for its meeting with Notre Dame in the national title game on Jan. 20. The injury update came from coach Ryan Day on Sunday after Burke didn’t play much of the second half of OSU’s win vs. Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

Ohio State made it hard on themselves with numerous offensive penalties vs. Texas. Ryan Day said his team must be better vs. Notre Dame in title game.

In the quarterfinals, Ohio State had to go up against the top seed in the CFP: Oregon. Everyone was expecting it to be the game of the playoff as the Ducks narrowly beat the Buckeyes in the regular season, but it ended up being a complete dud. Halfway through the second quarter, Ohio State was up 31-0. The Buckeye cruised to another easy win.

Weeks after facing immense pressure following another Ohio State loss to Michigan, Day is a win away from the college football mountaintop.

Ryan Day will lead Ohio State into the national championship game against Notre Dame on Monday, and it has been a turbulent journey filled with vitriol for the head coach

Ohio State coach Ryan Day runs onto the field with players before a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Julio Cortez/AP Share “Fire Ryan Day!

Day and the Buckeyes were beaten by their bitter rivals and booed off their home field less than 2 months ago. Now they have a shot at winning it all.

There's no question that Ohio State's fourth consecutive loss to Michigan back on Nov. 30 sent shockwaves through Columbus. The Buckeyes, who had entered the matchup as a three-touchdown favorite, looked completely rattled against a Wolverine defense that held them to a season low 10 points.