I knew Ohio State was winning a National Championship before the Buckeyes even played Notre Dame

I knew Ohio State was winning a National Championship before the Buckeyes even played Notre Dame

 

 

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day celebrates during the game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium.

image caption

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

 

Ryan Day admits he knew Ohio State was winning a National Championship before the Buckeyes even played Notre Dame

 

 

Ohio State Buckeyes News

Ohio State put on as special of a run as we may ever see in the first year of the expanded College Football Playoff format.

 

The Buckeyes dropped to Michigan in the final game of the regular season but it was what they did after that game that will be remembered forever.

 

Ohio State rattled off wins over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame to win a National Championship. In a recent interview with WBNS 10TV, Day admitted he knew the Buckeyes were going to win it all following the most special play of the CFP.

 

“I kind of ran down, but then looked back to see if there was any flags. At that moment when I saw that there was no flag I said, ‘We’re going to win a National Championship’,” Day explained how he felt after Jack Sawyer’s scoop-and-score against Texas. “That ball bounced our way, there has been times when it hasn’t bounced our way. It did. If you keep swinging, keep fighting, keep getting those at-bats, that ball is going to bounce your way eventually. Then we left no doubt.”

 

Ohio State responded to the loss to Michigan with an impressive 42-17 over Tennessee. It was a statement game to start the CFP for Ohio State, but the Rose Bowl win over Oregon may have been the biggest statement. The Buckeyes jumped out to a 31-0 lead over the Ducks and throttled them 41-21 to move into the semifinals.

 

 

The big game against Texas was where Day first said Ohio State was winning it all just a game before the National Championship. A big swing with a long TreVeyon Henderson touchdown before half then the Sawyer fumble return at the end were the difference makers.

 

Ohio State was far too talented for Notre Dame and the score wasn’t as close as 34-23 showed in the end. Ohio State led 31-7 at one point over the Fighting Irish before some late offense for Notre Dame.

 

The Buckeyes’ recent run was a memorable one where Day was able to capture his first title in the end. Ohio State’s head coach is one of three active coaches to win a National Championship.

 

I Knew Ohio State Was Winning a National Championship Before the Buckeyes Even Played Notre Dame

 

Before Ohio State even stepped onto the field against Notre Dame, I knew the Buckeyes were destined to win the national championship. It wasn’t just wishful thinking or blind fandom—it was an undeniable feeling based on the way the team was built, the mentality they carried into the season, and the coaching staff’s determination to bring another title to Columbus. From the moment the season started, everything about this team screamed “championship caliber.”

 

First and foremost, the Buckeyes had an elite defense, something that had been lacking in previous years. Jim Knowles, in his second year as defensive coordinator, had the unit playing at a completely different level. The defense was fast, disciplined, and physical, a stark contrast to the struggles seen in past seasons. The defensive line was dominant, the linebackers were instinctive, and the secondary locked down receivers in ways that had been missing in big moments before. Championship teams always have great defenses, and this Ohio State unit looked ready to shut down anyone.

 

On the offensive side of the ball, the talent was undeniable. Even though there were questions at quarterback before the season, I knew that Ryan Day’s system, combined with the talent in the skill positions, would make the offense dangerous regardless of who lined up under center. The Buckeyes had the best wide receiver room in the country, led by Marvin Harrison Jr., who was the most dominant playmaker in college football. The running back rotation was deep, the offensive line was sturdy, and the weapons at tight end and receiver made the passing attack lethal. It didn’t matter if it was Kyle McCord or Devin Brown at quarterback—there were too many playmakers for this offense not to succeed.

 

Beyond the Xs and Os, the mentality of this team felt different. In previous seasons, Ohio State had been talented but sometimes lacked the edge needed to finish the job. After the heartbreaking loss to Georgia in the previous year’s College Football Playoff, it was clear that this team had a chip on its shoulder. That loss didn’t break them—it fueled them. Every interview, every practice report, and every bit of body language from the team in the offseason signaled that they were locked in on one goal: winning a national championship.

 

The schedule also set up perfectly. A statement win against Notre Dame early in the season would give them confidence and momentum heading into Big Ten play. Michigan was looming at the end of the schedule, and after back-to-back losses to their biggest rival, there was no way this team was letting it happen again. The focus, the preparation, and the hunger were all there.

 

Before the season even started, I could see it coming. The Buckeyes had the defense, the offensive firepower, the coaching, and most importantly, the mentality of champions. That’s why I knew they were winning a national championship—before they even played Notre Dame.