Ohio State claimed its ninth national championship in commanding fashion on Monday, Jan. 20, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the title game. The Buckeyes' victory not only capped a remarkable season but also made history as they became the first winner of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
The game began with Notre Dame controlling the narrative. The Irish executed a 75-yard, 18-play drive that drained the clock and ended with a touchdown, establishing a 7-0 lead. Notre Dame’s strategy was clear—control the pace, run the ball, and keep Ohio State’s high-powered offense off the field.
But that approach proved unsustainable. Irish head coach Marcus Freeman pointed to a series of costly mistakes that derailed their momentum. “You look at the second series; we had two penalties that forced us to punt, and the third series, we had the missed communication with the muffed snap, and that’s the end of the half,” Freeman said.
After that opening drive, it was all Ohio State. Quarterback Will Howard put on a clinic, throwing two touchdown passes and leading the Buckeyes to a dominant 31-7 advantage by the third quarter. Running back Quinshon Judkins added to the onslaught with two rushing touchdowns, leaving Notre Dame searching for answers.
Though the Irish showed resilience with two late touchdowns in the final 18 minutes, the 24-point deficit was insurmountable. A critical third-and-11 conversion—a 56-yard strike from Howard to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith with under three minutes remaining—sealed the win and sent Ohio State fans into celebration.
The victory marked a triumphant end to a season of highs and lows for the Buckeyes, who finished with a 14-2 record. Despite early doubts and late-season criticism following a loss to Michigan, head coach Ryan Day emphasized the team’s perseverance.
“We responded to tough times,” Day said after the game. “Man, isn’t that what life’s all about? These guys learned life lessons, but they’re going to go down in Ohio State history as one of the greatest teams to ever play at Ohio State after all the things that were said throughout the year.”
This title is Ohio State’s first in a decade, adding to the legacy they began with a victory in the inaugural four-team playoff in 2014. Their dominant playoff run this year saw them outscore opponents by an average of nearly 18 points per game, cementing their place as the class of college football in 2024-25.
As for the new 12-team playoff format, it appears to have delivered the drama and excitement intended. However, the tournament isn’t without room for refinement. University presidents have asked conference commissioners to assess the inaugural format and propose adjustments. Those discussions will take place this spring, potentially shaping the future of college football's postseason.
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