They actually did it. After a season that felt like a high-speed car chase with no brakes, the Buckeyes finally climbed back to the top of the mountain. If you were watching the national championship game Ohio State played against Notre Dame on January 20, 2025, you know it wasn't just a win. It was a statement.
The atmosphere inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was basically a pressure cooker. You had two of the most storied programs in the history of the sport meeting for the first time ever with a title on the line. People were calling it the "Holy War" on steroids. Honestly, for the first ten minutes, it looked like the Buckeyes might crumble under the weight of it all.
The 10-Minute Scare and the Will Howard Response
Notre Dame didn't come to play nice. Riley Leonard, their quarterback, orchestrated an 18-play opening drive that felt like it lasted a lifetime. It was 9 minutes and 45 seconds of slow, painful execution. When he punched it in for a 1-yard score, Buckeye fans were collectively holding their breath.
Then came Will Howard.
The Kansas State transfer wasn't the flashy, five-star recruit many fans clamored for in the NIL era. He was just... solid. But in that second quarter, solid turned into superhuman. He completed his first 13 passes. 13! He wasn't just hitting check-downs either; he was carving up a Marcus Freeman defense that had been top-five all year.
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By the time the halftime whistle blew, the scoreboard looked like a typo. Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 7. The Buckeyes had scored on every single possession.
Why Quinshon Judkins Changed Everything
If Howard was the brain, Quinshon Judkins was the hammer. There’s this specific play that most people keep rewatching—it happened right at the start of the third quarter. Judkins took a handoff, found a crease on the right side, and just... vanished. 70 yards later, he was standing in the end zone.
He finished the night with:
- 100 rushing yards on just 11 carries
- Two rushing touchdowns
- One receiving touchdown
That balance is what made this team different from the 2023 or 2022 versions. They weren't just a finesse passing team anymore. They could actually run the ball down your throat when they needed to.
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The Freshman Who Isn't a Freshman
We have to talk about Jeremiah Smith. It’s kinda ridiculous that an 18-year-old was the best player on the field for most of the night. He had five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, but the numbers don't tell the story.
It was the late 3rd-and-11.
Notre Dame had clawed back. The score was 31-23. The stadium was shaking, and the Irish had all the momentum. Howard dropped back, under massive pressure, and just lofted a ball down the sideline. Smith didn't just catch it; he out-muscled a senior cornerback and snatched the ball out of the air for a 56-yard gain.
That play ended the game. It didn't result in a touchdown—Jayden Fielding kicked a 33-yard field goal shortly after—but it broke Notre Dame’s spirit.
National Championship Game Ohio State: Historical Context
This win gave Ohio State its 9th national title. They now sit in elite company, tied with USC for the sixth-most titles recognized by the NCAA. For Ryan Day, this was the "monkey off the back" moment.
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People had been calling for his job after the loss to Michigan earlier in the season. Losing to "The Team Up North" for the fourth straight time was almost too much for the fanbase to bear. But the new 12-team playoff format gave them a lifeline. They took that lifeline and turned it into a revenge tour, beating Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas just to get to the final.
The Road to Atlanta
- First Round: Defeated Tennessee 42-17 in Columbus.
- Quarterfinal (Rose Bowl): Blew out No. 1 Oregon 41-21.
- Semifinal (Cotton Bowl): Grind-out win over Texas 28-14.
- Final: 34-23 victory over Notre Dame.
It was arguably the hardest path any team has ever taken to a championship. They defeated five Top 5 teams in a single season. Let that sink in.
What Most Fans Got Wrong
There’s this narrative that Ohio State "bought" this championship with a $20 million roster. While it's true they used the transfer portal effectively—landing Judkins and Howard—the heart of this team was the guys who stayed.
Tyleik Williams and Jack Sawyer on the defensive line were the real reasons Notre Dame only rushed for 53 yards total. You can buy a quarterback, but you can't buy the kind of chemistry that defense had. They were a veteran group that decided to come back for one last ride instead of going to the NFL, and it paid off.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking ahead to how this affects the next season and the program's trajectory, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- The Jeremiah Smith Era is Just Beginning: He will likely be the favorite for the Heisman Trophy in 2026. His presence alone changes how defenses have to play the Buckeyes.
- The Transfer Portal Blueprint: Expect Ryan Day to continue targeting "high-floor" veteran starters rather than just chasing the biggest names. The Will Howard experiment proved that you don't need a Heisman winner at QB if the rest of the roster is elite.
- Recruiting Momentum: Winning the first-ever 12-team playoff gives Ohio State a massive edge on the recruiting trail. They aren't just a "Big Ten power" anymore; they are the undisputed kings of the new era.
- Defensive Continuity: Watch for who fills the gaps left by departing seniors like Cody Simon. The system Jim Knowles built is now the standard for the conference.
The Buckeyes didn't just win a game in Atlanta; they redefined what it means to be a "complete" team in modern college football.