The Ohio State Buckeyes have a rich history in the College Football Playoff. They have participated several times, even winning the championship. Let’s explore their playoff and national championship history.
Ohio State Playoff Appearances and Results by Year
- 2014-15
- Sugar Bowl – Won 42-35 vs. Alabama
- National Championship – Won 42-20 vs. Oregon
- 2016-17
- Fiesta Bowl – Lost 31-0 vs. Clemson
- 2019-20
- Fiesta Bowl – Lost 29-23 vs. Clemson
- 2020-21
- Sugar Bowl – Won 49-29 vs. Clemson
- National Championship – Lost 52-24 vs. Alabama
- 2022-23
- Peach Bowl – Lost 42-21 vs. Georgia
- 2024
vs. Tennessee – Won 42-17
vs. Oregon (Rose Bowl) – Won, 41-21
vs. Texas (Cotton Bowl) – Won, 28-14
vs. Notre Dame (National Championship) – Won, 34-23
Ohio State has consistently been a contender in the College Football Playoff since winning its inaugural edition in 2014. The Buckeyes defeated the Oregon Ducks in the first national championship of the CFP era, claiming a decisive 42-20 victory that earned Ezekiel Elliott the MVP award.
In their next two appearances, the Buckeyes lost to the Clemson Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl in 2017 and 2020. However, Ohio State achieved redemption by defeating the Tigers 49-29 in the 2021 Sugar Bowl.
The Buckeyes book-ended their historic success in the Playoffs by winning the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff National Championship bracket, defeating Notre Dame, 34-23. OSU famously went through two SEC foes and an Oregon team that they lost to earlier in the season before dispatching the Irish, capping one of the most memorable runs in college football history.
Ohio State Playoff History FAQ
What’s Ohio State’s Playoff Win/Loss Record?
Buckeyes achieved victory in their first two appearances, winning the national championship in 2015 and becoming the first title winners of the College Football Playoff era. However, since then, they have only won two additional games.
With their four-game win streak to cap the 2024-25 season, however, the Buckeyes currently hold a 7-4 record in the College Football Playoffs.
How Many Times Has Ohio State Been to the College Football Playoff?
The Buckeyes have participated in the College Football Playoff six times, ranking Ohio State third in overall appearances, following the Alabama Crimson Tide with eight and the Clemson Tigers with seven.
During this period, Ohio State has faced five different opponents, including Clemson three times and Alabama twice.
How Many National Championship Appearances Do the Buckeyes Have?
The Buckeyes have participated in the National Championship Game six times, including three times during the CFP era. Their first appearance was in 2002 when they defeated the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 in overtime at the Fiesta Bowl, which was also the BCS National Championship Game.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Playoffs with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
In the CFP era, Ohio State won their first title game by defeating Oregon 42-20 during the 2014-2015 season. They won their second in the Playoff era in 2024-25.
How Many National Championships Have the Buckeyes Won?
Ohio State has a rich history, having won nine national championships: 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002, 2014, and 2025.
When Was the Last Time the Buckeyes Made the National Championship Game?
Prior to winning the 2025 National Championship, the Buckeyes last appeared in the National Championship Game in 2021, where Nick Saban’s Alabama defeated them with a score of 52-24.
Obviously, after winning the National Championship for the 2024-25 season, the Buckeyes join the Irish as the most recent teams to participate in the national title game.
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.
