Yes, Ohio State won the national championship by using a football play from Alabama.

In the ever-competitive landscape of college football, tactical innovation, strategic plays, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances are as crucial as the talent on the field. The 2024 college football season showcased an unexpected yet brilliant twist: Ohio State, under head coach Ryan Day, managed to capture the National Championship using a strategic football play that was famously popularized by their Southeastern Conference (SEC) rivals, Alabama.

This seemingly unorthodox, cross-conference borrowing of a play from Alabama’s playbook would become the defining factor in Ohio State’s march to glory. But this was not simply about copying a well-known offensive concept; it was about perfecting it, enhancing it, and then executing it to near perfection on the grandest stage in college football. This analysis delves into how Ohio State’s tactical brilliance, influenced by a play originating in Alabama’s powerhouse program, contributed to their national title win, the nuances of the play itself, and the impact it had on their victory.

The Role of Strategic Plays in Modern College Football

In modern college football, offensive and defensive strategies often draw inspiration from programs that have succeeded on the national stage. The sport is cyclical—trends emerge, grow, and fade—but the truly successful teams are those that are able to innovate, evolve, and adapt these strategies to their personnel. The significance of a football play cannot be underestimated, especially in high-stakes moments like a National Championship game, where the smallest advantage can turn the tide in a matter of seconds.

Alabama has long been recognized for its cutting-edge offensive schemes, which blend power football with sophisticated passing concepts. Under legendary head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide transformed their offensive identity in recent years, incorporating more diverse schemes that utilized mobile quarterbacks, fast-paced tempo, and intricate passing plays. One of the most famous plays in Alabama’s recent arsenal is their variation of the RPO (Run-Pass Option), a play that gives quarterbacks the ability to either hand the ball off to the running back, run it themselves, or pass based on the defense’s reaction.

When Ohio State prepared for their 2024 National Championship Game against Georgia, they found themselves facing a highly-physical, fast, and aggressive defense—a defense that had stifled the best offenses in the country all season long. Coach Ryan Day and his offensive coordinators knew that a traditional approach would not work. They needed to think outside the box, and that’s when they revisited the playbook of their SEC rivals. After studying film and analyzing Alabama’s use of RPOs to dismantle top defenses in the SEC, the Buckeyes decided to employ a variation of this play to give them the edge they needed.

The Key Play: Ohio State’s Version of Alabama’s RPO

The Run-Pass Option (RPO) is a strategy that has revolutionized modern college football. It plays on the quarterback’s ability to read the defense, deciding whether to run, hand the ball off, or pass based on the defense’s movement. Alabama’s iteration of this play, particularly under Saban’s tutelage, became a nightmare for defenses because of the Crimson Tide’s precision in executing it. With a mobile quarterback and a strong running game, Alabama’s RPO often left defenders caught in a bind—if they committed to stopping the run, the quarterback could throw the ball downfield, and if they backed off to defend the pass, the running back could take the ball up the middle for a big gain.

Ohio State, traditionally known for its pro-style offense that capitalizes on strong running backs and efficient pass-catching tight ends, had long relied on a more straightforward approach to offensive football. However, for this high-stakes National Championship game, they decided to incorporate Alabama’s dynamic RPO strategy, with a few tweaks to fit the skill set of their players, particularly their dual-threat quarterback Kyle McCord.

Kyle McCord, a talented sophomore who had steadily developed into a reliable leader throughout the season, was the perfect fit for Ohio State’s revamped offensive attack. A highly athletic quarterback, McCord possessed a rare combination of arm strength, poise in the pocket, and enough mobility to make defenses worry about his ability to run. With the help of offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, Ohio State crafted a modified version of Alabama’s RPO concept, one that maximized McCord’s strengths.

The Ohio State RPO was designed to read both the box (the area where linebackers and defensive linemen line up) and the secondary (cornerbacks and safeties). Depending on how the defense aligned, McCord could either hand off to the running back, run the ball himself, or pass to one of the team’s star wide receivers, like Marvin Harrison Jr., or a tight end such as Cade Stover. The offensive line, which included future NFL prospects, would be tasked with maintaining their blocks long enough to allow McCord to read the defense and make the best decision.

The Execution: Perfect Timing and Precision

In the National Championship game against Georgia, this play was a game-changer. Early in the first half, Ohio State’s offense had struggled to break through Georgia’s aggressive defense, and they found themselves trailing by two touchdowns. Ohio State needed a spark, and it was here that they turned to the Alabama-inspired RPO. The play was initially introduced in smaller, controlled situations, but as the game wore on, Ohio State found themselves increasingly relying on it to create big plays.

Kyle McCord executed the play with remarkable precision. On one critical drive, with Ohio State trailing 21-14 in the second quarter, McCord dropped back, surveyed the defense, and quickly identified the mismatch. Georgia’s defense, a unit known for its ferocity and speed, was overly aggressive, loading the box to stop the run. This gave McCord the green light to throw a quick slant to Marvin Harrison Jr., who was lined up in the slot and had a one-on-one matchup with a Georgia cornerback. The ball was delivered perfectly, and Harrison made a beautiful catch and run, turning a short gain into a 40-yard touchdown.

The successful use of the RPO opened up new opportunities for Ohio State. The next time they were in a similar situation, McCord kept the ball himself and sprinted for a 20-yard gain, catching Georgia’s defense off guard. As the game progressed, Georgia began to hesitate, unsure of whether to sell out to stop the run or drop back into coverage to defend the pass.

Ohio State’s adaptation of Alabama’s RPO turned the tide of the game. By the time the third quarter rolled around, the Bulldogs’ defense was in disarray. The Buckeyes’ offense was now unpredictable, creating multiple threats on every snap. McCord’s ability to read the defense and execute the RPO flawlessly became the foundation of Ohio State’s comeback, as they scored 24 unanswered points to take a commanding lead.

The Impact of the Play on the Championship Victory

Ohio State’s use of the Alabama-inspired RPO not only helped them close the gap in the game, but it also allowed them to put the Bulldogs on their heels during crucial moments in the second half. It was a play that kept Georgia’s defense guessing and ultimately led to several key scores, including a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

The decision to incorporate the RPO proved to be a turning point, not just in the game, but in Ohio State’s entire season. It showcased the team’s ability to adapt and evolve based on the challenges they faced. Ryan Day, known for his offensive acumen, made the crucial decision to not only borrow from Alabama’s playbook but also make it their own by tailoring it to Ohio State’s strengths. In doing so, the Buckeyes had unlocked the key to success against one of the nation’s most dominant defensive units.

The Broader Implications for College Football

Ohio State’s victory in the 2024 National Championship, spurred on by their use of the RPO, will undoubtedly have long-term implications for college football. It demonstrates that the best programs are not static; they evolve, adapting concepts from competitors and incorporating them into their own schemes. Alabama’s success with the RPO had set a precedent, and now Ohio State’s title win proves that strategic borrowing can lead to unprecedented success.

In the years to come, we can expect more programs to follow Ohio State’s lead and borrow elements from successful teams like Alabama, while also adding their own twist. The blueprint for success in college football continues to shift, and adaptability will be key for any program hoping to claim a national championship.