Ohio State’s 2014 Championship: The Greatest Test

The debut of the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) era delivered the thrilling and unprecedented finish to the college football season that fans had hoped for. The expanded playoff field offered more teams a realistic shot at the national championship, injecting new excitement into the sport. While improvements can still be made to the CFP format regarding seeding, byes, and other aspects, this inaugural season undeniably brought a new level of excitement and aura to college football.

The 12-team format ensured that the two best teams in the country met in the national championship game, leaving no room for doubt. Notre Dame’s path to the title game included victories over No. 8 Indiana, No. 2 Georgia, and No. 4 Penn State. Ohio State’s journey was equally impressive, as they defeated No. 7 Tennessee, No. 1 Oregon, No. 3 Texas, and then No. 5 Notre Dame in the championship game. These impressive runs underscored the talent of both the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish, culminating in a title game matchup that truly represented the pinnacle of college football.

The new playoff format also led to a historic season for Ohio State. Prior to this year, the Buckeyes had never played more than two top-five opponents in a single season. This year, they faced three top-five teams during the regular season alone, a program first. By the end of their championship run, Ohio State had played five top-five opponents and seven top-10 opponents, a testament to the rigorous playoff gauntlet. As Chip Kelly noted before the title game, the championship matchup was not decided by polls or opinions, but was earned by both teams through their performance on the field. Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame marked their fifth win against a top-five team, a feat never before accomplished in a single season.

Ohio State’s championship journey was one of resilience and redemption. Following a devastating loss to rival Michigan in their final regular season game, the Buckeyes used the defeat as fuel, transforming themselves into the dominant team they were expected to be all along. Their path to the championship required them to defeat No. 9, No. 1, No. 5, and No. 7 teams in a mere 30-day span, solidifying the notion of a truly earned national championship. Fifty-one days after the humbling loss to Michigan, a game in which Michigan attempted to plant their flag on Ohio State’s field, the Buckeyes hoisted the national championship trophy in Atlanta. That November defeat served as a catalyst, uniting the team and propelling them to achieve their ultimate goal. Ultimately, the championship trophy validated their journey, regardless of the challenges and setbacks faced throughout the season.

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