Aidan Hutchinson believes there should be an asterisk next to Ohio State’s football national title.

Aidan Hutchinson Says Ohio State Football National Title Should Have An Asterisk

In a sport as fiercely competitive as college football, the quest for the National Championship is the pinnacle of achievement. For every team that earns the prestigious title, the journey is long, grueling, and filled with challenges. But every once in a while, a comment or perspective comes along that shakes the very foundation of how we view a title-winning season.

This was the case when Aidan Hutchinson, the Michigan Wolverines’ star defensive end, made a bold claim regarding Ohio State’s National Championship victory in 2025. According to Hutchinson, the Buckeyes’ victory should come with an asterisk. The statement sent shockwaves through the college football world, prompting debate, reflection, and, for some, outright disagreement.

Hutchinson, who has been at the heart of Ohio State-Michigan rivalry games and is a player known for his passion, fierce competitiveness, and ability to speak candidly, didn’t mince words when addressing what he saw as an unusual and controversial aspect of the Buckeyes’ path to the title. While his statement was bold, it was rooted in his own view of the college football landscape — one in which the concept of fairness, integrity, and competition takes center stage.

But what exactly prompted Hutchinson to make such a provocative statement? Was it simply rivalry banter, or is there a legitimate argument behind his claims?

Hutchinson’s Rivalry with Ohio State

Before delving into Hutchinson’s specific claims, it’s important to understand the context of his rivalry with Ohio State. As a standout defensive player for Michigan, Hutchinson is no stranger to the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State — one of the most heated and storied rivalries in all of sports. During his college career, Hutchinson helped lead the Wolverines to a key victory over the Buckeyes in 2021, a win that broke Ohio State’s long-standing dominance in the series.

This victory was a monumental achievement for Hutchinson and Michigan, who had been seeking to dethrone Ohio State after years of frustration. Given the intensity of the rivalry, it’s not surprising that Hutchinson has strong opinions about Ohio State football. However, his comments regarding the 2025 National Championship were more than just typical rivalry trash talk. They were aimed at something more significant — what he believes were questionable circumstances surrounding the Buckeyes’ title run.

The Ohio State 2025 National Championship Journey

The 2025 college football season was an unforgettable one for Ohio State. After a series of dominant performances during the regular season, the Buckeyes reached the College Football Playoff (CFP), where they ultimately defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to secure their championship. The victory sent shockwaves through college football, with Ohio State fans celebrating the culmination of another successful season, and the program adding another championship to its storied history.

However, Hutchinson’s issue with Ohio State’s 2025 title is rooted in a combination of factors that he believes skewed the competition. Although some of these elements may be viewed as controversial, Hutchinson’s argument calls into question the integrity of Ohio State’s championship, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding the title should lead to some scrutiny.

The Controversial Elements: Scheduling and Injuries

Hutchinson’s primary point of contention with Ohio State’s championship revolves around the perceived imbalances in their schedule and roster conditions leading into the College Football Playoff. According to him, Ohio State’s path to the national title was aided by scheduling quirks, injuries to rival teams, and other factors that provided the Buckeyes with an easier route to the championship than might have been expected.

One of the first issues Hutchinson pointed to was Ohio State’s relatively favorable regular-season schedule. While the Buckeyes certainly faced top-tier opponents, Hutchinson argued that several of their key competitors were not at full strength. One notable example was Michigan, who, despite their talent, lost key players due to injury in the middle of the season, weakening their depth as they faced the Buckeyes.

Additionally, Ohio State’s conference opponents — particularly in the Big Ten — did not present the same level of challenge as in years past, according to Hutchinson. Programs like Penn State and Wisconsin, while still competitive, were seen as lacking the consistency needed to truly test Ohio State. In a season where many teams were struggling with injuries, Ohio State appeared to glide through the regular season with fewer roadblocks than would be expected for a team aiming for the title.

The Role of Injuries in the Playoff Picture

Beyond regular-season scheduling concerns, Hutchinson also pointed to injuries as a key element in Ohio State’s run to the title. Notably, Notre Dame, Ohio State’s opponent in the national championship game, was missing several key starters due to injuries, including a star defensive lineman who would have been a significant force against Ohio State’s high-powered offense. For Hutchinson, this weakened version of Notre Dame was not the true challenge it might have been, and he felt that Ohio State’s championship win was, in part, a product of their opponent not being at full strength.

This is a common debate in sports, where injuries often play a major role in the outcome of games, and championships can sometimes feel less meaningful when key players are sidelined. Hutchinson’s point is that the competition Ohio State faced was not necessarily the same level of competition that would have been expected in a fully healthy, fully prepared playoff field.

The Impact of NIL and Transfer Portal Influence

Another aspect of Hutchinson’s critique of Ohio State’s 2025 National Championship run revolves around the growing influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal. In recent years, these elements have fundamentally changed the landscape of college football. Hutchinson believes that Ohio State, with its significant resources and massive fan base, may have benefited disproportionately from the influx of talent via the transfer portal and NIL deals.

While this isn’t necessarily unique to Ohio State, Hutchinson argues that the Buckeyes’ ability to attract top-tier talent through these mechanisms has given them an unfair advantage over other programs. The 2025 season, in Hutchinson’s view, wasn’t just about on-field performance — it was also about who could recruit and retain the best talent, with some programs able to leverage their financial resources and NIL opportunities more effectively than others. In this environment, Hutchinson believes that Ohio State’s championship was in part aided by factors outside of the traditional framework of college football — leading to the possibility that their title run wasn’t entirely earned through competitive play on the field.

Is Hutchinson’s Criticism Valid?

As with any bold statement in sports, Hutchinson’s comments have sparked significant debate. Some argue that his criticisms are rooted in bitterness and rivalry — a product of a player who wishes his team had been able to overcome Ohio State in a more meaningful way. Others, however, see merit in Hutchinson’s concerns, particularly around the impact of injuries, NIL, and the transfer portal on the fairness of the competition.

It’s undeniable that Ohio State’s 2025 championship run came with its fair share of challenges — but it also featured standout performances, strategic game plans, and elite talent that ultimately earned them the title. From a pure football perspective, the Buckeyes’ victory was the result of hard work, skill, and determination.

However, Hutchinson’s point about the evolving landscape of college football cannot be ignored. As the sport continues to change with NIL and the transfer portal playing an increasingly important role, the fairness of competition may indeed be called into question. It’s an issue that will likely continue to be debated for years to come, as college football grapples with how to balance new opportunities for players with maintaining a level playing field for all teams.

A Rivalry That Goes Beyond the Field

Hutchinson’s comments are more than just about the 2025 National Championship — they are a reflection of the intensity of the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State. As one of the most heated and storied rivalries in sports, every victory and every loss carries immense weight. For Hutchinson, a Michigan man through and through, the Buckeyes’ title victory — particularly one that may have been influenced by factors outside of traditional football — feels incomplete.

His comment about an asterisk is a reminder that the rivalry isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about pride, legacy, and the battle for supremacy in college football. While Ohio State celebrates its title, Michigan and Hutchinson are using every opportunity to challenge the notion of what it truly means to earn a national championship.

Whether or not you agree with Hutchinson’s stance, one thing is clear: the debate surrounding Ohio State’s 2025 title will continue to fuel conversations in college football circles for years to come. As the sport evolves, so too will the conversations about fairness, competition, and what it takes to truly be the best.