Ohio State Returns to the CFP with History-and Legacy-on the Line
DALLAS, Texas - The Buckeyes are back in the College Football Playoff, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. After capturing the national title last season, Ohio State is chasing something few programs ever touch: back-to-back championships. That kind of run doesn’t just win trophies-it cements legacies, reshapes narratives, and, for a handful of players and coaches, changes careers forever.
Let’s break down what this CFP appearance means for some of the key figures in Columbus-and why the next few weeks could be transformational.
Ryan Day: From the Hot Seat to Historic Heights
Just a year ago, Ryan Day’s future in Columbus was under scrutiny. Fast forward to now, and he’s on the cusp of something only one other coach in Ohio State history has achieved: multiple national championships.
If Day leads the Buckeyes to another title, he’ll join Woody Hayes as the only coaches in program history with more than one national crown. That would elevate him past Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel in terms of postseason hardware-no small feat considering what those two meant to the program.
But this isn’t just about Ohio State history. Nationally, Day would join an exclusive club of active head coaches with multiple championships, alongside Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. That’s elite company in today’s college football landscape.
And there's another layer here: Day, a play-caller by trade, would become the first head coach to call plays and win a national title since Jimbo Fisher did it at Florida State in 2013. That’s a rare dual role in the modern era, and pulling it off would be a testament to both his football mind and leadership.
Jeremiah Smith: A Star on the Cusp of Superstardom
Jeremiah Smith has already made his mark in Columbus, but a strong playoff run could take him from elite to legendary.
The dynamic wideout was in the thick of the Heisman conversation for much of the regular season, and if he shows out in the postseason-even without a title-he’ll enter 2026 with serious momentum as a top contender for the award.
There’s also a personal storyline in play. Ohio State faces Miami in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal, and for Smith, a South Florida native, this one hits close to home.
He left the region to chase greatness in Columbus-and a win over the hometown Hurricanes would be a full-circle moment. If the Buckeyes make another deep run, Smith’s decision to leave Miami for Ohio State could look like one of the smartest moves of his career.
The Senior Class: A Legacy-Defining Opportunity
This Ohio State team may have entered the season with questions about experience, but don’t let that fool you-this is a veteran group, especially on the defensive side.
Take safety Jaylen McClain, the lone starter on defense ineligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. Everyone else?
They’ve been around the block. Many of them-like defensive ends Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson-are fourth- and fifth-year players who’ve grown into leadership roles this season.
Then there’s center Carson Hinzman. He got a taste of postseason action last year, but 2025 has been different. This time, he’s not just filling in-he’s anchoring the offensive line as a seasoned leader.
For this senior class, the opportunity is clear: become the first group of Buckeyes to win back-to-back national titles. That’s the kind of résumé that earns you a permanent place in program history.
Mario Cristobal: A Defining Moment for the U
Yes, this is Ohio State’s story-but make no mistake, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has plenty on the line in this quarterfinal matchup.
The Hurricanes haven’t had much to hang over Ohio State since the infamous 2003 Fiesta Bowl, and a win here could change that narrative. More importantly, it would serve as the kind of “proof of concept” win Cristobal has been chasing since taking over in Coral Gables.
If Miami knocks off the defending champs, it could send a message to South Florida recruits-like Jeremiah Smith once was-that staying home can lead to national relevance. For a program that’s been trying to claw its way back into the elite tier for over two decades, this game is more than just a playoff matchup. It’s a chance to shift the balance in recruiting and perception.
Julian Sayin: From Michigan Slayer to Buckeye Legend
Julian Sayin has already done what many Ohio State quarterbacks couldn’t: beat Michigan. Now, he’s got a chance to do something even more rare-win a national title.
Think about this: as good as Terrelle Pryor, Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett, C.J.
Stroud, and Justin Fields were, none of them brought home a championship. Even Troy Smith, who won the Heisman in 2006, fell short of the ultimate prize.
Sayin, a Heisman finalist this season, could take that next step. If he leads Ohio State on another title run, he’ll not only add his name to the list of Buckeye greats-he might sit at the top of it.
And here’s the kicker: he’s coming back in 2026. A national title now would set the stage for a Heisman campaign next season and possibly a run at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s the kind of trajectory that turns a promising college career into a legendary one.
The Bottom Line
Ohio State’s return to the College Football Playoff isn’t just another shot at a trophy-it’s a moment packed with legacy-defining stakes. For Ryan Day, it’s about rewriting his narrative.
For Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin, it’s about rising from stars to icons. And for a veteran senior class, it’s about leaving a lasting imprint on one of college football’s most storied programs.
The Buckeyes are three wins away from history. Now it’s time to see who steps up and seizes the moment.