Ohio State Buckeyes Football National Championships have generated a tremendous legacy for this national power that has produced legendary teams and players. With a storied history that dates back to 1890, the Buckeyes have been a dominant force with 10 undefeated seasons, eight national championships and 39 Big 10 Conference titles. Since the College Football Playoff era began in 2014, the Buckeyes have made multiple appearances.
Their most recent national championship victory came in 2014, when they triumphed over Oregon in the CFP National Championship game. This victory not only solidified their status as a powerhouse in college football but also marked the beginning of a new era under the College Football Playoff system.
A Buckeye Legacy of Championship Seasons
1942 – Buckeyes Strike for First National Championship
The 1942 Buckeyes, under the leadership of head coach Paul Brown, posted a 9-1 record to claim their first national championship. This team boasted five All-Americans, including team MVP Charles Csuri, setting the stage for future successes.
Due to the United State’s entry into World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Buckeyes 1942 schedule had a military flair. OSU opened the season with a 59-0 win over Fort Knox and then concluded their season with a 41-12 win over Iowa Pre-Flight.
1954 – Woody Hayes’ Undefeated Triumph
In his fourth season at the helm, Woody Hayes led Ohio State to a perfect 10-0 season. This was quite an improvement from the 6-3 record posted the year before. The 1954 team defeated six ranked opponents, including No. 2 Wisconsin. An Ohio State 21-7 victory over Michigan cemented another Big Ten Championship. This national title squad completed the 1954 campaign with a 20-7 Rose Bowl win over USC. Hayes’ first championship team featured three All-Americans. Team MVP Howard Cassady was among those honored.
Buckeye Coaching Legend – Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes is synonymous with Ohio State football. During his illustrious 28-year career from 1951 to 1978, Hayes led the Buckeyes to five national championships and four undefeated seasons. Under his leadership, Ohio State secured 13 Big 10 championships, solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in college football. Hayes also coached three Heisman Trophy winners and developed 56 first-team All-American players, showcasing his remarkable ability to nurture talent and achieve excellence on the field.
Beyond his impressive record, Hayes was known for his intense rivalry with Michigan, famously referring to them as “That School Up North” because he couldn’t bring himself to say their name. This rivalry became a defining feature of his tenure, culminating in a 16-11-1 record against Michigan. Hayes’ legacy at Ohio State is not just measured by his victories but also by his enduring impact on the program and the players he mentored, leaving an indelible mark on college football history.
1957 – Overcoming An Early Setback
Despite an early-season loss to TCU, in the 1957 season opener, the Buckeyes rebounded to finish 9-1. They claimed the No. 1 ranking in the UPI Coaches Poll with two key late-season wins. With the Buckeyes ranked No. 6 heading into a November 16th match against Iowa, OSU defeated the Hawkeyes 17-13. Another Big Ten championship was secured the next week when the Buckeyes defeated Michigan 31-14. A 10-7 win against Oregon in the Rose Bowl concluded the national title season that saw Aurealius Thomas earned All-American honors.
1961 – Dominance and Controversy
The 1961 Ohio State team went 8-0-1, with their only blemish being a tie with TCU in the season opener. Following the tie against the Horned Frogs, Woody Hayes’ squad dropped from No. 3 to No. 8 in the polls. However, Ohio State won their next eight games to close out an undefeated season. A 50-20 season-ending victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor secured another Big Ten title. While the Buckeyes finished No. 2 in the final AP and UPI Coaches polls, the Football Writers Association of America awarded OSU the 1961 National Championship.
Running back Bob Ferguson earned All-American honors in 1961 while also being named the Maxwell Award winner as college football’s outstanding player. Ferguson led the squad with 938 yards rushing and finished a close second place in the Heisman voting behind Syracuse RB Ernie Davis. Ferguson was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 5th overall pick of the 1961 NFL Draft, However, a head injury shortened his career.
1968 – The Powerhouse Team
The undefeated 1968 squad (10-0) was arguably one of the most talented in Ohio State history. The Buckeyes set a championship tone with a week 3, 13-0 win over Purdue. With 11 All-Americans and six future first-round NFL Draft picks fueling dominating play, Ohio State crushed No. 4 Michigan 50-14 and defeated No. 2 USC 27-16 in the Rose Bowl. This era also featured what was known as the 10-Year War between Woody and Bo Schembechler that would begin the following season.
1970 – Co-Champions with Talent
Finishing with a 9-1 record, the 1970 Buckeyes were named NFF Co-Champions. Despite losing to Stanford in the Rose Bowl, the team produced four first-round NFL Draft picks, including John Brockington and Jack Tatum.
Ohio State won their first nine games of the season to include win over No. 20 Northwestern and No. 4 Michigan. The 20-9 win over the Wolverines generated another Big Ten Championship for OSU. Following the regular season the Buckeyes were awarded the 1970 national title by National Football Foundation.
2002 – The Drought Breaker
Jim Tressel’s 2002 Buckeyes ended a 32-year championship drought with a perfect 14-0 season. Following a 7-5 record the previous season, the Buckeyes had a big hill to climb in the national rankings. OSU began the season with a No. 13 ranking and began their climb up the polls with a 45-21 win over Texas Tech. A week 3, 25-7 win over No. 10 Washington State solidified Ohio States footing in the rankings.
The quest for a national championship gained traction in mid-season when the Buckeyes beat No. 17 Penn State and No. 23 Minnesota in consecutive weeks. A Big Ten title and and a BCS Championship Game berth were solidified with a 14-9 win over Michigan in the regular-season finale.
The championship season was captured with a thrilling 31-24 overtime win against No. 1 Miami in the BCS National Title Game. Ohio State QB Craig Krenzel and safety Mike Doss were named game MVP’s.
2014 – The Buckeyes College Football Playoff Era Begins
The 2014 season marked the dawn of the College Football Playoff era. Urban Meyer guided the Buckeyes to a national title, overcoming a week-two loss to Virginia Tech. They dominated Michigan 42-28, crushed Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big 10 Championship Game, and outplayed top-ranked Alabama and No. 2 Oregon in the playoffs to finish the season 14-1.
With the College Football Playoffs only including four teams for the first 10 seasons, Ohio State has earned five CFP appearances. OSU advanced to the CFP championship game for a second time in 2020, but lost to Alabama 52-24.
Additional OSU Football Achievements
Big Ten Championships
Ohio State has a storied tradition of excellence in the Big Ten Conference, having won an impressive 39 Big Ten Conference championships. This includes 10 division championships, underscoring their dominance in the league. The Buckeyes’ success is not limited to conference play; they have a remarkable track record of producing talented players who go on to excel in the NFL. With over 300 alumni having played in the NFL, Ohio State’s impact on professional football is undeniable.
Awards and Recognition
The Ohio State football team has garnered numerous awards and honors throughout its illustrious history. In addition to their eight national championships, the Buckeyes have claimed 39 Big Ten Conference championships. The team has also produced multiple Heisman Trophy winners, with two players earning this prestigious award. Ohio State’s success extends to bowl games as well, with notable victories in the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl, further cementing their legacy as one of college football’s elite programs.
