The Big Ten conference was one of the strongest in the country in 2024, sending four teams to the 12-team College Football Playoff. Among them, the Ohio State Buckeyes made it all the way to the championship, where they’ll take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Let’s take a look at previous Big Ten teams that made the title game and what their record is all-time in the big game.
Last Time Big Ten Team Won the College Football National Championship
The last Big Ten team to win the College Football National Championship wasn’t too long ago. In fact, it was just over a year ago when the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies 34-13 to cap off the 2023-24 season. The Wolverines also won the Big Ten Championship.
The Wolverines jumped all over the Huskies right away, evidenced by Michigan running back Donovan Edwards’ 41-yard and 46-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter. Washington kept creeping back, only for Michigan to continuously shut the door.
Edwards only had six carries but still totaled 104 yards and the pair of touchdowns. His partner in the backfield, Blake Corum, amassed 134 yards on 21 carries and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, sealing the game.
Michigan’s defense forced opposing quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, to complete only 52.9% of his passes, a far cry from 65.4% on the season.
The Huskies rushed for only 46 yards on 20 carries. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter put on a masterclass performance, holding the 13th-best scoring team in the nation to just 13 points.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Playoffs with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
The Wolverines’ victory was only the second national championship from a Big Ten member in the College Football Playoff era. Ohio State won the inaugural CFP season in 2014, defeating the Oregon Ducks 42-20 behind Ezekiel Elliott, who put on a performance for the ages with 246 yards and four touchdowns.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Buckeyes will take on the Fighting Irish hoping to bring a national championship back to the Big Ten for the second straight year.
Big Ten’s Record in the National Championship Game
Since the Bowl Coalition was formed prior to the 1992 season — which was replaced by the BCS National Championship and now the College Football Playoff — the Big Ten’s record in championship games is an even 3-3.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers won multiple national championships in the 1990s but were a part of the antiquated Big Eight and Big 12 conferences.
Between 2002 and 2007, the Buckeyes appeared in three national championship games, only able to win in 2002. They were defeated by the Chris Leak-led Florida Gators in 2006 before falling to the LSU Tigers behind quarterback Matt Flynn’s four touchdown passes.
Ohio State’s run of 2014 was one to remember. Third-string quarterback Cardale Jones was forced into action just prior to the postseason — and the offense didn’t miss a beat, beating the No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 42-35 in the CFP semifinals before running away from the Ducks en route to a 42-20 victory.
It took until 2020 for another Big Ten team to appear in the title game, with the Buckeyes taking on the Crimson Tide once again. Alabama quarterback Mac Jones threw three of his five touchdown passes to receiver DeVonta Smith, and the undefeated Tide beat the Buckeyes 52-24.
The Wolverines victory in 2024 brought the record to 3-3, with Ohio State having the chance to make it 4-3 with a win on Monday night.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
