Ryan Day and Ohio State rebounded from the Michigan loss with a historic title run, as the Buckeyes revealed the blueprint for champions in the expanded playoff era.

Even as many Ohio State fans turned on Ryan Day, his players never wavered in their support of the coach who would lead them to the national title.

Ryan Day deserved to feel vindication when he won a national championship less than two months after it seemed his Ohio State job was on the line

Ohio State’s defense has been hard to score on all season and that remained true even in a College Football Playoff National Championship game where it surrendered 23 points to Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are one of just four teams in the last two years to score more than 17 points with the others being eventual nation champions Georgia (2022) and Michigan (2023) plus Oregon this

Ohio State is your College Football Playoff National Champion. After jumping out to a 31-7 lead, the Buckeyes would let Notre Dame get back to within a score. And then Jeremiah Smith showed up once again to haul in a deep pass on third and long to secure Ohio State’s ninth national title.

Ohio State's football team showcased near-pro excellence in the playoffs with standout wide receivers and running backs as the Buckeyes secure the championship.