The 2025 College Football Playoff Championship was Ohio State's first national title since what year?

Ohio State's victory in the 2025 College Football Playoff Championship marked a significant return to the pinnacle of college football, as it was their first national title since the 2014 season. That 2014 championship was particularly memorable, being the inaugural College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes, led by head coach Urban Meyer, made an improbable run to the title that year.

The 2014 Ohio State team overcame significant adversity, including losing their starting quarterback Braxton Miller before the season and then J.T. Barrett during the regular season finale. Third-string quarterback Cardale Jones stepped in and famously led the Buckeyes through the Big Ten Championship, a Sugar Bowl semifinal upset over Alabama, and ultimately to a 42-20 victory over Oregon in the national championship game. Running back Ezekiel Elliott was also a standout, dominating the postseason with incredible rushing performances, including 246 yards and four touchdowns in the championship game.

In the years following their 2014 triumph, Ohio State consistently remained one of the nation's elite programs, frequently appearing in the College Football Playoff. Despite their regular season success and multiple playoff berths, they were unable to secure another national championship during that span. This made the hypothetical 2025 championship a long-awaited moment for the Buckeye faithful, ending a decade-long drought since their dramatic 2014 national title run.