The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship showcased Ohio State's triumph over Notre Dame, marking their first national title in a decade. While the Buckeyes insisted their victory wasn't about external validation, their journey was heavily influenced by the pressure to justify their offseason decisions. Key players, including quarterback Will Howard, emphasized the importance of blocking out outside noise and working together as a team. The title win reflected not only skill but also a deep connection forged through adversity, overcoming skepticism from fans and critics alike.
"We worked really hard to tune out the outside noise, truly," confessed Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, words spoken on the field moments after having a national champions T-shirt pulled over his shoulders and punctuated by slaps to those shoulders from his current teammates as well as Buckeyes of days gone by.
The "it's not about that" mantra was what the Buckeyes kept repeating, in unison, beginning way back into the summer weeks leading into a season when they were voted No. 2 in the nation in both preseason polls.
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