SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Nine final thoughts on Notre Dame going out (almost) on top after its 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Facing fourth-and-goal, down 31-15 early in the fourth quarter in a College Football Playoff National Championship clash against Ohio State, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman elected to kick a field goal.

ESPN announced an average of 22.1 million viewers tuned in to watch Ohio State beat Notre Dame 34-23 in championship game for the College Football

The game had 22.1 million viewers, and peaked with 26.1 million viewers in the 8:30-8:45 p.m. Eastern window. It was the most-watched non-NFL sporting event over the past year, but ratings were down compared to previous College Football Playoff title games.

Head coach Marcus Freeman shouldered the blame for Notre Dame's 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on

Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman was given a significant award a few days after the college football season ended. The third-year head coach led the Fighting Irish to the National Championship game this season,

Marcus Freeman helped turn around the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after a disappointing loss to Northern Illinois and earned himself a prestigious honor as a result.