Ohio State vs. Notre Dame CFP Title Game to Use SEC Refs; Crew Worked Fiesta Bowl

The NCAA reportedly has decided on the officiating crew for next Monday's College Football Playoff national championship game between Notre Dame and Ohio State.

Per Brett McMurphy of Action Network, SEC officials will work the game on Jan. 20. It will be the same crew that officiated the Fiesta Bowl between Penn State and Boise State.

There were a whopping 23 penalties called in the Fiesta Bowl, which the Nittany Lions won 31-14. Fans will certainly be hoping that the game flow won't be interrupted by constant flags in the national title matchup.

Ben Austro of FootballZebras.com pointed out that officiating crews from the ACC and Big 12 worked the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff. Also, the Buckeyes' involvement in the national championship ruled out the possibility of a Big Ten crew working the game, so that left the SEC as the only Power conference available to send officials to the matchup.

Ohio State made a difficult path to the national championship look easy. Ranked eighth in the CFP bracket, the Buckeyes ran through No. 9 Tennessee, No. 1 Oregon and No. 5 Texas, winning every game by double digits and eclipsing the 40-point mark twice.

Notre Dame is ranked No. 7 and had a similarly tough road, defeating No. 10 Indiana, No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Penn State. The Fighting Irish used strong defensive performances to outlast their opponents, and they will need to be at their best if the hope to stifle the Buckeyes' high-powered offense.