Oregon Ducks ‘Recognized’ as National Champions Despite Ohio State’s Victory Over Notre Dame

As confetti rained down in Atlanta on Monday night, players, coaches, and fans wearing scarlet red began to celebrate the Ohio State Buckeyes' ninth championship in program history.

The final score was 34-23, with Ryan Day and the Buckeyes outlasting a second-half comeback attempt from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish that was mounted early in the third quarter after Ohio State pushed the lead to 28-7. While the outcome may have only briefly come into question in the fourth quarter of what was for the most part a blowout, it was the Buckeyes who had the last laugh.

Or did they?

Across the country on the West Coast, there might have been some popping of champagne taking place. Why? Because according to the Wolfe Ratings - a mathematical college football ranking designated amongst the National Champion Major Selections by the NCAA - it was the Oregon Ducks who finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation?

Say that again, please?

For those unfamiliar with the process of crowning a national champion in college football, it is a science that has evolved over the years. While the College Football Playoff is used on the field to determine a winner, an official record book is maintained by the NCAA, using a list of "major selectors" that determine a champion by utilizing math and polls to select a victor.

One of those "major selectors" - The Wolfe Ratings - crunched the numbers after Monday night and determined that the Ducks were the top-ranked team, not the Buckeyes.

So... congratulations to the Oregon Ducks and their fanbase on being named the college football national champions for the first time in program history?

In reality, everyone knows that Ohio State won the championship in 2025, and history will forever recognize the Buckeyes as the victors of the firs 12-team College Football Playoff. While the Ducks may technically go down in the record books as the "champion" according to one of six active "major selectors" in college football, nobody in Eugene will be celebrating this outcome as if the Ducks actually won the championship.

Oregon fans can go to sleep at night knowing that they defeated the team who eventually went on to win the championship, though. It won't fill that championship trophy-sized hole in their hearts, but it's something.

Related: Shane Gillis' 1-Word Message Amid Notre Dame Blowout Turns Heads

Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 6:53 AM.