Will Howard, Jim Knowles and Al Golden are just some of the ties the College Football Playoff National Championship has to Philadelphia.

DALLAS — Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has a play-calling ... according to Pro Football Focus. But during their run to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, bringing a matchup with Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night ...

After replacing Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby as OC, Littrell was fired in October, when Finley was promoted to play-caller on an interim basis, as was Johns to coach the QBs. Finley remains on staff to coach the tight ends, but Johns is now coaching quarterbacks at Oklahoma State.

The Buckeyes are now set to take on coach Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame Fighting Irish, whom they beat 17-14 last season, for the national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

The College Football Playoff is in uncharted territory and injuries are piling up, forcing teams to manage a survival of the fittest gauntlet.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles responded Saturday during to the rumors linking him to OU's opening.

Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman, No. 15, is chased out of bounds after a scramble by Notre Dame defensive lineman Donovan Hinish, No. 41, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft) AP

Now, we've got one more game left. On Monday night in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), Ohio State, a nearly 10-point favorite, will seek its first national title in 10 years while underdog Notre Dame will seek its first in 36.