Ohio State defeated Notre Dame on Monday night to become the latest national champions. The college football championship stays in the Big Ten with Michigan win

The Ohio State Buckeyes claimed their ninth national championship in program history after beating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 on Monday night. However, they still had a few major blemishes during the season. The first was losing to their bitter rivals, the Michigan Wolverines, 13-10 and the second was not winning the Big Ten.

Has Ohio State football ever lost to Michigan and won the national championship in the same season? Here's the answer:

Former Ohio State football head coach Jim Tressel had a feeling that the Buckeyes would respond well after losing to Michigan.

Judkins, who transferred from Ole Miss last offseason, has inserted himself as one of the top playmakers for the Buckeyes this season. Since the 13-10 loss to Michigan that ended their regular season, Ohio State has been on a tear — beating Tennessee, Oregon and Texas by a combined 59 points.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day is hugging players with confetti falling overhead. His Buckeyes, who beat Notre Dame 34-23 Monday to win the national title, have cemented their place in program history. The coach himself has stamped an Urban Meyer seal onto his John Cooper-esque resume.

Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore and his staff are hard at work on the recruiting trail, ensuring that the future for the Wolverines remains bright.

A new-look Buckeyes team will try to repeat as champions next season. Here are the Ohio State national championship odds for 2025-26.

Let's take a look back at Sports Illustrated's best images and coverage from the Buckeyes' championship night.