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
As the conference establishes itself as a major player in the modern era of college football, Ohio State is the latest Big Ten team to win a national title, securing victory in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The Buckeyes took down the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a contest where the scoreline somewhat flatters their opponent. Ryan Day’s team leaped out to a substantial lead and, despite a gritty fightback from the Irish, pounded out a 34-23 win in front of 77,660 fans in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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After giving up an opening-drive score, Ohio State put up 31 points without Notre Dame finding so much as a field goal in response.
Quarterback Will Howard orchestrated some masterful scoring possessions while running back Quinshon Judkins justified his offseason price tag by becoming a part of a Buckeyes record-setting quartet with over 1,000 yards on the season.
The win, combined with the success of the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 title game, gave the Big Ten back-to-back conference champions for the first time since 1965-1966 when the Michigan State Spartans were co-champions in consecutive seasons.
The last time the conference had outright champions in successive seasons was a three-season stretch from 1940-1942 when the Buckeyes piggy-backed on two championship wins from the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
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 4-3.
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 bringing the conference above .500 with their win over Notre Dame in the 2025 College Football National Championship Game.
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