This loss for Notre Dame to Ohio State in the national title game wasn't Alabama 2013 all over again, but there were similarites. The differences were huge, though.

The Fighting Irish were coming off their worst three-year stretch in some time when Kelly was hired. Through his 12 years in South Bend, Kelly compiled seven records of 10 or more wins and coached 55 NFL Draft picks, including 10 first-rounders.

In a conversation with CBS Sports, Kelly indicated that he believes the Irish can defeat Ohio State in the College Football Playoff title game and finally win another national championship, something he failed to do in 12 seasons with the program. Here’s the quote in full:

The Fighting Irish’s 27-24 Orange Bowl win over Penn State at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida proved former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly very wrong about why he left the program.

In total, Notre Dame has gone 33-9 under Freeman, with wins in the Gator Bowl, Sun Bowl, and three College Football Playoff games. Over that same period, LSU has gone 29-11 under Kelly, and has never reached the CFP.

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 head coach Marcus Freeman took ownership of Monday’s night 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. "You're always making mistakes, but those types of detrimental mistakes when you play a really,