Sports

Ohio State Cedes National Champion Title To Big Ten Rival In One Major Selector’s Final Poll

#College Football
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Oregon football players huddle around coach Dan Lanning.

© Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images


Ohio State became the first national champion in the 12-team College Football Playoff era with a win over Notre Dame on Monday night. The Buckeyes knocked off four straight Top 10 opponents on their way to earning the honor.

Most everyone will recognize that squad as being the top team when it comes to the final rankings. With that being said, the Buckeyes aren’t the only school to land a ‘National Champ’ title. Big Ten football rival Oregon ranked No. 1 in the final Wolfe Ratings Poll.

That came despite the playoff results, which included Ohio State’s 20-point thrashing of the Ducks in the postseason.

The Wolfe Ratings are a “mathematical based power rating matrix developed by Peter Wolfe and Ross Baker,” according to the NCAA FBS Record Books. The system is one of a number of polls recognized as a National Champion Major Selector.

Now, it’s unlikely the school will celebrate the unclaimed title with a banner or ceremony. That hasn’t stopped fans from having some fun with the moment.

This is far from the first time we’ve seen this. In 2017, an undefeated Central Florida team was named the top team by the Colley Poll despite not making the College Football Playoff field. The year prior, that same poll named Alabama the champion after the Tide lost to Clemson in the title game.

Oregon made its case to be named the No. 1 team by rolling through the regular season unbeaten before winning the Big Ten Championship. Unfortunately, the Ducks couldn’t complete the dream season thanks to Ohio State’s CFP dominance.

Fans can take solace in knowing that at least one rankings system believed the Ducks were top dogs. It won’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but this should solidify Oregon’s spot in the NCAA Football Record Books.