The tale of Ohio State’s championship journey from preseason excitement to heartbreaking loss to playoff champion: “There was no other option.”

The journey to the College Football Playoff National Championship is a tale of highs and lows, triumphs and struggles, that begins long before the season opener. For the Ohio State Buckeyes, 2025 was supposed to be the year. The year they would return to glory. A team brimming with talent, depth, and hope, they entered the season with the full expectation that they would not just contend for the College Football Playoff but win it all. After all, this was a team led by Ryan Day, one of the brightest coaching minds in college football, and a squad teeming with stars who were ready to make their mark.

But as every Ohio State fan knows, expectations and reality rarely line up perfectly. Despite their best efforts, their hopes for a national championship came to a heartbreaking and dramatic conclusion that left fans and players alike reeling. As the Buckeyes prepared for their national title game in 2025, the intensity of the journey, the weight of the expectations, and the agony of coming so close would define this championship run.

Preseason Excitement: The Road to Glory

Heading into the 2025 season, Ohio State was already considered one of the most talented teams in the country. The preseason rankings placed them near the top, with many experts predicting that they would be a prime contender for the College Football Playoff and the national championship. This was a team filled with skill on both sides of the ball, from their dynamic offense led by star quarterback CJ Stroud, to a defense that had become a dominant force in college football. Expectations were sky-high.

From the opening game of the season, it was clear that Ohio State’s talent was undeniable. The Buckeyes blazed through their non-conference schedule with ease, putting up impressive wins and showing off an explosive offense and a defense that was stingy against even the best offenses. Stroud, in particular, seemed to be on another level, slinging the ball with precision and poise, while the offensive line protected him and allowed him to orchestrate drives that overwhelmed opponents.

But even with all their success in the early weeks, the road ahead was far from certain. The Big Ten Conference loomed large, and with it came some of the toughest tests of the season. Rivalries with teams like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin would serve as true measuring sticks of their title aspirations. Ohio State could afford no slip-ups. The championship was their target from the outset, and there was no other option but to succeed.

The Pinnacle of Perfection: Ohio State Dominates the Regular Season

Ohio State’s journey through the regular season was nothing short of dominant. They were firing on all cylinders, winning games with ease and asserting themselves as the team to beat. While Stroud garnered the majority of the national attention, it was clear that Ohio State’s success was built on teamwork. The offensive line was among the best in the nation, providing Stroud with ample time to survey the field. Running backs like Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson kept opposing defenses on their toes with dynamic and hard-nosed running. The receiving corps, led by standout Marvin Harrison Jr., gave Stroud a wealth of talented targets to choose from.

Defensively, Ohio State was equally as formidable. With stars like J.T. Tuimoloau and Zach Harrison leading the charge, the Buckeyes’ defense suffocated opposing offenses. Their ability to control the line of scrimmage, generate pressure on quarterbacks, and create turnovers was pivotal in their dominance throughout the season. As the weeks passed, it became increasingly clear that Ohio State was not just a playoff contender—they were a championship contender.

Their rivalry with Michigan, always a defining game of the season, was no different in 2025. Ohio State entered the game with an undefeated record, determined to send a message to the rest of the college football world. In a heated matchup, they emerged victorious, clinching the Big Ten Championship and securing their spot in the College Football Playoff. The team was on cloud nine. This was the culmination of years of hard work and determination, and now, they were a step closer to the ultimate goal.

The Road to the Playoff: A Championship-Caliber Team

With the Big Ten title in hand, Ohio State’s ticket to the College Football Playoff was sealed. The Buckeyes would now have a chance to compete for the ultimate prize in college football, and they were not about to waste it. Despite the excitement of the moment, there was no time to rest on their laurels. Ohio State was still hungry for a national title.

The first round of the Playoff presented a formidable challenge, with Ohio State facing a highly-ranked opponent in the semifinals. But once again, the Buckeyes showed their mettle. In a thrilling back-and-forth contest, Stroud and the offense showcased their explosive ability, while the defense made key stops at critical moments. Ohio State won the game, securing their place in the National Championship against another powerhouse team.

As the championship game approached, the weight of the season’s expectations loomed large. Ohio State had been the team to beat all year, and there was no other option but to win it all. The players, the coaches, and the fans all shared the same singular focus: a national title was within reach, and they were not going to let it slip away.

The Heartbreaking Loss: A Championship Dream Dashed

The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game was set to be a clash of titans, with Ohio State taking on a formidable opponent in an attempt to claim the ultimate prize. The stage was set, the fans were ready, and the energy inside the stadium was electric. Ohio State had been through so much to get to this point, and they had every intention of finishing what they started. The Buckeyes were ready to prove that they were the best team in college football.

The game, however, did not go according to plan. Despite a valiant effort from Stroud, who continued to show his poise under pressure, and the offense, which remained explosive throughout the game, Ohio State was unable to overcome key mistakes and missed opportunities. Turnovers, missed field goals, and key penalties piled up at critical moments, and the opposing team was able to capitalize on each and every misstep.

As the game wore on, the emotional weight of the championship battle became evident. With each passing minute, the realization started to set in: Ohio State might not be able to secure the national title they had worked so hard for. The championship, the dream, the culmination of an entire season of effort, was slipping away.

In the final moments of the game, Ohio State’s last-ditch efforts to secure a win fell short. The opposing team, with its own clutch performances and key plays, claimed the national title. Ohio State’s players, coaches, and fans were left heartbroken. The championship dream had been dashed in an instant, and despite the incredible season they had, it was a crushing defeat.

Reflection: “There Was No Other Option”

For Ohio State, the loss was devastating. The phrase “there was no other option” had been echoed countless times throughout the season—by players, coaches, and fans alike. They had all believed that the national championship was within their grasp, and to come so close, only to fall short, left a bitter taste in their mouths.

For Ryan Day and his coaching staff, the loss was particularly hard to swallow. Day had built a team that was capable of winning it all, and to see their dreams shattered in such a close contest was a humbling reminder of the unpredictable nature of college football. Yet, even in the aftermath of defeat, there was a sense of pride in what the Buckeyes had accomplished. The 2025 season had been one for the ages, and though they hadn’t secured the championship, the foundation for future success was stronger than ever.

For the players, the loss was difficult, but it also served as a lesson in resilience. Players like CJ Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr., who had carried the team throughout the season, understood the sting of defeat. Yet they also knew that the journey was bigger than any single game. It was a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and the pride they had in representing Ohio State. They had given everything they had to reach the championship stage, and while the outcome was heartbreaking, the memories of their incredible journey would stay with them forever.

Looking Ahead: A Legacy Built on Perseverance

Though the 2025 season ended in disappointment for Ohio State, the legacy of their championship journey lives on. The heartbreak of that loss served as fuel for future seasons, driving the program forward with renewed determination. The players who had experienced the agony of falling short were more motivated than ever to return to the championship stage and finish what they had started.

Ryan Day, too, would use the loss as a stepping stone. The disappointment of 2025 only added to his resolve to continue building a program that was capable of winning a national title. Ohio State fans, always faithful and loyal, would stand by their team, knowing that the next championship opportunity was just around the corner.

The 2025 journey may have ended with a heartbreaking loss, but for Ohio State, there was no other option but to rise again. The championship dream was deferred—but it was far from over.