Look, if you followed the Buckeyes this year, your heart rate probably hasn't settled yet. It was a rollercoaster. One minute we're staring at another soul-crushing loss to Michigan, and the next, Ryan Day is hoisting a trophy in Atlanta. Honestly, the ohio state record 2024 is one of the weirdest, most resilient stat lines in the history of the program.
They finished 14-2.
That sounds dominant, right? But the path was anything but smooth. You've got the heartbreaking one-point loss at Oregon in October and then that absolute stunner in Columbus when an unranked Michigan team somehow walked out with a 13-10 win. Most fanbases would have packed it in after "The Game." Instead, this team became the first 12-team College Football Playoff champion.
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Breaking Down the Ohio State Record 2024
The regular season was a tale of two identities. Early on, the Buckeyes looked like a buzzsaw. They outscored their first three opponents 157-20. Will Howard, the transfer from Kansas State, proved he was exactly the "distributor" Ryan Day needed, even if he wasn't the flashy Heisman candidate some expected. He finished the year with over 4,000 passing yards and 35 touchdowns.
But the schedule got real, fast.
The October 12th trip to Autzen Stadium was a classic, but a painful one. Losing 32-31 to Oregon felt like a missed opportunity, especially with how the offense moved the ball. However, the defense—led by Jim Knowles—eventually became the backbone of this run. By the time the season ended, Ohio State had the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, allowing just 12.9 points per game.
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The Michigan Game: A Blessing in Disguise?
It's weird to say a loss to Michigan is a good thing. It's not. It sucks. Losing four in a row to the Wolverines is the kind of thing that gets coaches fired in Columbus. When Dominic Zvada kicked that 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left to give Michigan the 13-10 win, the atmosphere in the Shoe was toxic.
Ohio State was a 19.5-point favorite. They got out-rushed 172 to 77. In this rivalry, if you can't run the ball, you lose. Period.
That loss knocked them out of the Big Ten Championship game, which, ironically, might have saved their season. While Oregon and Penn State were bruising each other for the conference title, the Buckeyes got to rest. They entered the CFP as the No. 8 seed—the lowest-ranked team to ever win it all in this new format.
The Playoff Gauntlet
The postseason run was basically a "Revenge Tour" mixed with a "Prove It" campaign. They didn't just win; they looked like the team everyone expected in August.
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- First Round: They dismantled Tennessee 42-17. The Vols had no answer for Quinshon Judkins, who was a monster in the cold Columbus air.
- Quarterfinal (Rose Bowl): The rematch. Ohio State didn't let Oregon breathe this time, winning 41-21. It was cathartic.
- Semifinal (Cotton Bowl): A 28-14 win over Texas. This was a defensive masterclass. Arch Manning couldn't get anything going against the Buckeyes' secondary.
- Championship: A 34-23 victory over Notre Dame. Jeremiah Smith, the freshman sensation, caught the dagger touchdown that basically announced the start of a new dynasty.
Jeremiah Smith finished his freshman year with 934 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns. He is, quite frankly, not human. You've also got to give credit to the "old heads" who stayed. Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau combined for 21.5 sacks. They came back for a national title, and they actually got it.
Why This Record Matters
This 14-2 record is historic for a few reasons. They are the first team since 2007 LSU to win a national title with two losses. They are also the first team to win four playoff games in a single season. Ryan Day finally silenced the "can't win the big one" crowd, even if the Michigan monkey is still technically on his back.
The ohio state record 2024 shows that the 12-team playoff changes everything. A November loss is no longer a death sentence. It’s about who is playing the best football in January.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the stats or want to relive the highlights, you should check out the official Ohio State Athletics page or the College Football Playoff archives. The defensive metrics alone from that Texas game are worth a look if you're a football nerd.
Moving forward, the focus shifts to the NFL Draft and how the Buckeyes reload. With guys like Julian Sayin waiting in the wings and the recruiting trail still hot, the 2025 season is already looking like another "Championship or Bust" scenario. Keep an eye on the spring portal—Day isn't known for sitting quiet when he sees a gap in the roster.