A thrilling showdown unfolded in Arlington, Texas, on Friday night when the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes outlasted the No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns, 28-14, to punch their ticket to the national championship.

This has been a season unlike any other for Ryan Day emotionally. Less than two months ago, loud and influential media voices were calling for the firing of the nation’s winningest active coach in the wake of Ohio State’s fourth straight loss to Michigan.

About the only thing that feels normal about it are the teams playing for the title: Ohio State and Notre Dame.

ARLINGTON — So are we to believe the Texas Longhorns ... During Thursday’s coaches availability at Jerry World with Sark and Ohio State's Ryan Day, I asked the Texas coach if his Horns were embracing the underdog role, especially with the game being ...

Takeaways from Ohio State's national championship on Day, a historically great resume, Will Howard, keys to the title run and what's next.

Cancel anytime. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, left, celebrates with quarterback Will Howard (18) and defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) after Friday's victory at the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State running back ...

Jack Sawyer had the kind of moment that will live on long past his playing days with Ohio State. Of course, one more victory would make it that much sweeter. Sawyer stripped Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers — his former roommate — and returned the fumble 83 yards for the clinching touchdown

A Buckeyes win would give the Big Ten back-to-back national champions for the first time since 1942, when the league was called the Western Conference. Paul Brown-coached Ohio State went 9-1 that year and was the third straight national champion from the conference. Voters crowned Minnesota in 1940 and ’41.

A thrilling showdown unfolded in Arlington, Texas, on Friday night when the No ... it was Sawyer's emotional reaction with head coach Ryan Day that stole the spotlight. Sawyer, a key figure ...

Ohio State coach Ryan Day runs onto the field with players before a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Julio Cortez/AP Share “Fire ...

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches from the sideline during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington ...