(Atlanta) — Unlike last week’s Orange Bowl press conference, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day offered Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman no extra motivation heading into Monday night’s college football national championship game.

“Everybody at Ohio State respects Marcus and the fact that he went to Ohio State and had a great career there, and certainly have a lot of respect for what he’s done in his coaching career and what he’s doing,” lauded Day Sunday at a joint press conference with Freeman. “He’s a tremendous coach and does an unbelievable job. This is an excellent team that has just found a way to win week in and week out. I think they have over 140 points off of turnovers. They play great in all three phases. You talk about offense, defense and special teams, these guys are really good on special teams. They keep you on your heels all the time. They fake punts, they fake field goals, they find different creative ways to get guys in the game. They’ve done onside kicks. They’ve done reverses on kickoff return. They’re very, very good in all three phases. It’s a big challenge, and really the focus is about executing.”

As for Freeman, he refuses to make this game about him going against his alma mater.

“This isn’t about where I went to school,” states the third-year Irish head coach. “This isn’t about the last two times we played Ohio State. This opportunity is about this opportunity, and we’ve got to make sure we focus on that because this opponent is this current opponent. It’s not the last two that we faced. It’s going to be a great challenge.”

When Freeman does talk about Ohio State, it’s that the 13-2 Buckeyes are very similar to the 14-1 Irish in how they conduct their programs.

“When I think about the similarities, more than anything I think the expectations that both programs have for themselves,” notes Freeman. “Every season you go into the season wanting to be national champions. Obviously Ohio State has achieved that goal in more recent years than we have, but those are the expectations, to be at the mountaintop.”

It has been a while since either program has won a national championship. Ohio State’s last title came in 2014, while Notre Dame’s most recent national championship was in 1988.

Another similarity both coaches were asked about is the strong element of religious faith apparent in their programs.

“I think when you’re at Notre Dame, faith is something that’s openly talked about, obviously being at a private Catholic university,” remarked Freeman, a Catholic convert himself. “Amongst our football program, it’s promoted. I’m not saying you have to be Catholic; we’re saying we want our young people to grow in their faith.”

“Going to Ohio State and being at a state university, it’s a different experience,” comments Day. “But it’s been amazing to watch this team grow spiritually, and I just think those three pillars of your body, your mind and then your soul and spirit. We have Bible studies and reflections that we have that we’ll have folks come in and speak at, and we have been for a long time. But then also seeing our players lead them in those moments, but then there’s also times where I’ll walk around the corner and see a bunch of guys in a room together that we didn’t even know about that they’re having a Bible study, talking.”

With Monday’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN approaching, Freeman was asked what it means for his team to play in the title game.

“You’ve got a chance to play in the National Championship game. Enjoy the opportunity. It’s going to be a difficult one. We know that. But listen, go out there and enjoy it, and don’t let the things outside of those white lines affect the way you play. I’m grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to it tomorrow.”