The stage is set for an incredible cat-and-mouse game between Riley Leonard and Caleb Downs, two outstanding players whose roles and responsibilities make it a virtual certainty that they’ll collide with the sport’s biggest prize at stake.

Neither QB was ranked in the top 600 nationally. Leonard signed with Duke, Howard with Kansas State. Here's the backstory.

The one common denominator between the Irish teams that lost to Ohio State in the past two seasons was quarterback play. It wasn't Leonard then. but it's Leonard now.

Will Howard and Riley Leonard, seven months removed from being roommates, will put their friendship on hold in Monday's title game.