Ohio State Claims National Championship, Still Fails to Beat Michigan

The Ohio State Buckeyes clinched the College Football Playoff national championship by defeating Notre Dame 34-23, marking their first title since 2014 under head coach Ryan Day. However, the victory follows a tumultuous season where the Buckeyes lost to their archrival, the Michigan Wolverines, for the fourth consecutive time, which has led to ongoing criticisms of Day and the team. Michigan fans have taken to social media to remind Ohio State of their victory and the continued rivalry tension, with some suggesting that the Buckeyes' championship run was fueled by the humiliation of their earlier loss. Ohio State players acknowledged this motivation, stating the defeat pushed them to perform better in the playoffs. Despite the championship win, the shadow of the Michigan loss looms large, indicating the complexities and pressures involved in this storied rivalry. Ultimately, while Ohio State celebrated their national title, the impact of their loss to Michigan remains a significant part of their narrative this season.