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.

The winner claims the national championship in the first year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff and longest college football season ever. Ohio State is trying for its sixth title, and first since its 2014 team won the inaugural CFP. Notre Dame is going for its 12th title, and first since 1988.

Ohio State has rolled through the CFP. The Buckeyes have been favored in all three games — vs. Tennessee, Oregon and Texas — and covered comfortably in all three. It got a little iffy late in the CFP semifinal against the Longhorns. But the Buckeyes have mostly cruised.