The inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship in 2014 saw the Ohio State Buckeyes emerge victorious, marking a significant milestone in the program’s history. Fast forward a decade, and Ohio State once again finds themselves atop the college football world, claiming the first expanded 12-team playoff title in 2024. The question now turns to whether the Buckeyes can replicate their past success and defend their championship in the upcoming 2025 season. The journey begins with a challenging season opener against Texas, offering an early test of their mettle. Significant roster turnover, including the departure of starting quarterback Will Howard and other key players to the NFL and the transfer portal, presents a key challenge for the Buckeyes as they look to maintain their championship caliber. The integration of new faces into the depth chart will be crucial to their success.
History offers a mixed bag of outcomes for defending champions. The 2024 Michigan Wolverines, under new head coach Sherrone Moore, experienced a challenging 8-5 season despite a late surge with victories over Ohio State and Alabama. Their offensive struggles, averaging only 286 yards per game, highlight the difficulties of maintaining momentum after a championship run. The 2023 Georgia Bulldogs, under the guidance of Kirby Smart, mounted a strong title defense, going 13-1 and remaining the top-ranked team for much of the season. Their only blemish came in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama, a narrow defeat that dashed their hopes of a three-peat. However, a dominant Orange Bowl victory over Florida State showcased their resilience and ensured a top-four finish.
The 2022 Georgia Bulldogs achieved a rare feat, becoming the only team in the CFP era to repeat as national champions. Their undefeated 15-0 season culminated in a thrilling semifinal victory over Ohio State and a resounding championship game triumph over TCU. This remarkable two-year run saw the Bulldogs compile a 29-1 record, cementing their place among the college football elite. In contrast, the 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide, after winning the 2020 championship, fell short in their repeat bid. Despite avenging an earlier loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, they succumbed to the Bulldogs in the national championship game rematch.
The 2020 LSU Tigers, following their dominant 2019 championship season, experienced a significant drop-off, finishing with a .500 record in a pandemic-affected season. The departure of star quarterback Joe Burrow and defensive struggles contributed to their disappointing campaign. The 2019 Clemson Tigers, after a dominant regular season, ultimately fell short in the national championship game against LSU. Despite averaging over 46 points per game during the regular season, their high-powered offense was contained by the Tigers in the title game.
The 2018 Alabama Crimson Tide’s quest for a repeat championship ended in a lopsided defeat to Clemson in the national championship game. Despite a dominant regular season and impressive playoff victories, they were thoroughly outplayed by the Tigers in the final showdown. The 2017 Clemson Tigers, after winning the 2016 championship, experienced a two-loss season, including a semifinal defeat to Alabama. Their mid-season stumble against Syracuse disrupted their momentum and ultimately prevented a return to the championship game.
The 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide entered the season as the top-ranked team and maintained that position until the very end, only to be denied a repeat championship by a last-second Clemson touchdown in a thrilling national title game. Despite their dominance throughout the season, including a resounding SEC Championship victory, they were ultimately edged out in the final moments. Finally, the 2015 Ohio State Buckeyes, after claiming the inaugural CFP title, experienced a similar fate. Their undefeated run was halted by a late-season loss to Michigan State, dashing their hopes of a repeat. Despite a strong finish to the season, including a convincing victory over Michigan, they were left out of the playoff picture.
The historical precedent for defending champions offers valuable lessons for the 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes. Maintaining focus and consistency throughout the season, navigating roster turnover effectively, and performing at their best in crucial moments will be essential to their chances of repeating as national champions. The path to a repeat title is fraught with challenges, as evidenced by the varied fortunes of past champions. The Buckeyes will need to draw upon their strengths, address their weaknesses, and embrace the pressure of defending their crown if they hope to etch their names in college football history once more. The upcoming season promises to be a compelling test of their championship mettle.
