Did you guys enjoy the first-ever 12-team CFP format? As we conclude the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, the discussion of this 12-team playoff format continues. The excitement is building among the teams and fans, and everyone is eager to see who will triumph in next year’s 12-team tournament.
David Pollack shared his opinion about this format on his YouTube channel: “More football. More teams really can get hot. It’s really cool that you had eight versus seven to start. That’s really fun to see. I’m not good with the bye system. That just needs to go away. The best teams need to get rewarded. I’m not down with that. So, I’d like to see that changed like tomorrow.”
As we look ahead to more discussions and potential tweaks, fans can expect even greater excitement and competition in the seasons to come. For now, let’s focus on celebrating the champions: Ohio State. The Buckeyes won this year’s 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship by defeating Notre Dame 34-23.
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team represents Ohio State University in the Big Ten Conference and is part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. This victory marked Ohio State’s second CFP National Championship. They defeated Oregon in the 2014 season to win their first inaugural CFP National Championship. Even though it was their second championship, it was the first championship under the 12-team CFP format. This showcased their excellence and ability to compete at the highest level of college football.
This article explores Ohio State’s exciting journey in the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff and their road to the National Championship. Let’s dive into this captivating topic and relive Ohio State’s remarkable moments in this CFP together!
Ohio State’s 2024-25 CFP Campaign
This section provides a detailed breakdown of Ohio State’s journey, from the first round to the championships, in the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff.
First Round
On December 21, 2024, Ohio State faced Tennessee for the first round of the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio. In the first quarter of the game, they came out strong by showcasing their offensive prowess, which set the tone for the game. Fielding J. marked three extra points, and Smith J., Judkins Q., and Henderson T. each contributed one touchdown to the team, giving them an early lead. Defensively, they applied complete pressure on the opponent’s quarterbacks, limiting Tennessee’s offensive options.
They were utterly lackluster in the second quarter of the game, and the opponent outscored them 0-10, but at the end of the first half, they were on a high note. In the second half, they recovered and matched their first-quarter performance, with the same player once again leading the team to victory. Overall, their offense and defense were well-balanced, and Tennessee found it challenging to rally as Ohio State’s defense held firm, blocking any substantial progress. The game ended with a scoreline of 42-17.
Quarterfinals
Following its successful first round, Ohio State faced the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl and delivered a dominant performance, winning 41-21. Once the game started, Ohio State began to outscore the opponent 14-0 in the first quarter with its potent offense and consistent performance. In the second period, their offense and defense balanced well, with Fielding J. scoring two field goals and two extra points.
Smith J. and Henderson T. each one touchdown and made them continue their dominance in the game. They somewhat managed in the second half of the game, but the main reason for their triumph was their first-half dominance. In terms of their coaching strategy, Ohio State’s coaches had a great game plan, using both passing and rushing to confuse the Oregon Ducks’ defense.
Semifinals
In the Cotton Bowl Classic, Ohio State faced Texas on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. They advanced to the National Championship by defeating Texas with a score of 28-14. In the first quarter, as usual, Ohio State showed its dominance and outscored the opponent 7-0, thanks to one touchdown from Judkins Q. and one extra point from Fielding J.
In the second quarter, both teams equalized with a score of 7-7, and further in the third quarter, Ohio State’s performance was utterly down, equalized the game and made the fourth quarter a tie-breaking one. As expected, Ohio State bounced back, and with their strong attack and solid defense, they scored 14-0 and qualified for the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Championship
In the National Championship, Ohio State faced Notre Dame on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their high-powered offense. Ohio State’s control of the game, Notre Dame’s comeback attempt, and Ohio State’s eventual victory made for an exhilarating game. The Buckeyes’ performance proved too much for Notre Dame, and the fans were on their seats until the end. It was an exciting day for everyone, filled with thrilling moments and unexpected turns.
National Championship Game Summary
Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding started the game with a kick that went into the end zone, giving Notre Dame the ball at their 25-yard line. The Irish began strong, making two crucial plays on third downs and two on fourth downs during an impressive 18-play opening drive. This ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Riley Leonard with almost ten minutes gone on the clock. Ohio State quickly responded, moving into Notre Dame’s side of the field thanks to some big plays from TreVeyon Henderson and a clever pass from Will Howard to Quinshon Judkins, finishing the first quarter at Notre Dame’s 13-yard line.
In the second quarter, Ohio State celebrated their first touchdown with an 8-yard pass from Howard to Jeremiah Smith, tying the score at 7-7. Notre Dame faced some penalties, which forced them to punt. Ohio State kept their momentum by converting a crucial third down at the 12-yard line and scored again with a 9-yard run by Judkins. After another short possession for Notre Dame, Ohio State scored again with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Howard to Judkins, going into halftime with a good lead of 21–7.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Ohio State | 0 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 34 |
| Notre Dame | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 23 |
Ohio State kicked off the third quarter from their 25-yard line and quickly made a big play with a 70-yard rush from Judkins, scoring a 1-yard touchdown and extending their lead to 28-7. On their first drive, Notre Dame attempted a fake punt, but it didn’t work, and Ohio State took over at Notre Dame’s 33-yard line. They added a solid 46-yard field goal, increasing their lead to 24 points. Notre Dame fought back, scoring on a 34-yard pass from Leonard to Greathouse and getting a two-point conversion, narrowing the score gap to 16.
In the fourth quarter, a fumble by Egbuka gave Notre Dame a chance to drive deep into Ohio State’s territory, but they missed a field goal chance. Ohio State had a quick possession before Notre Dame made a tremendous 80-yard drive, finishing with another touchdown pass from Leonard to Greathouse and a successful two-point conversion. The Buckeyes then moved down the field and finished the game with a field goal, winning 34–23 in the national championship.
Aftermath and Honors
Following the championship game, Ohio State and Notre Dame concluded the season with a record of 14-2. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was named the offensive MVP for his 231 passing yards and two touchdowns, and their linebacker Cody Simon was named the defensive MVP for his eight-tackle performance. Ohio State ended the season as the number one team in the AP poll, with Notre Dame taking second place. This marks Notre Dame’s highest final ranking since 1993.
Ohio State Championship Celebration
To honor their 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, Ohio State has scheduled a celebration for fans at noon on Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Ohio Stadium. A large turnout is anticipated despite the chilly weather, fostering a festive mood. The head coach, Ryan Day, and the players will engage with fans and recount their experiences from the Championship game. It promises to be a memorable day, celebrating the Buckeyes’ hard work and their supporters’ dedication.
Conclusion
Ohio State’s 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship triumph is hugely successful. Their dominant performance against Notre Dame showcased their skills and determination. With lots of happiness and thrilling moments, the CFP has wrapped up, and fans are already looking forward to next year’s games. Stay tuned with us for more news and updates about college football. Congratulations to Ohio State on their well-deserved win!
