From ashes to ashes, and then to pure glory! Ohio State just flipped the script, turning that soul-crushing Michigan loss into a championship dynasty. They served Notre Dame revenge colder than a Siberian winter, just like DiCaprio in The Revenant. Ryan Day and his crew rose from the ashes like a phoenix, proving they were built for this moment. Remember all that fire and brimstone after that Michigan debacle? Yeah, well, the city’s on fire again, but this time it’s with pure joy. Talk about a complete 180—the wheel of fortune definitely spun back in Ohio State’s favor.

This victory? It’s a long time coming for Buckeye Nation. They’ve been waiting for this moment for what feels like a decade, and the celebrations were absolutely electric. The moment that final whistle blew, Columbus erupted. Fans flooded the streets, a sea of scarlet and gray, drowning in pure euphoria.

Despite the cold weather, the excitement remained unabated as students flocked to Ohio Stadium, chanting the iconic “O-H, I-O.” Plus the best part is, according to 10TV, they managed to breach one of the gates, but unlike the riotous aftermath of the Michigan game, this time it was a controlled celebration, devoid of tear gas.

Also, the last time Ohio State won the National Championship in 2015, the celebrations got a little out of hand. Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a peaceful night in Columbus. Police had to use tear gas to control the crowds, and firefighters were called to extinguish nearly 90 fires set by overzealous fans. Thankfully, this year’s victory was celebrated with pure joy and no hint of past mishaps.

Moreover, the campus police spokesperson attributed this success to allowing students onto the field as part of a crowd control strategy, which proved highly effective. In fact, the Columbus Police Department had learned from their previous experiences and implemented a revamped approach to managing crowds, effectively keeping chaos at bay.

The crowd’s exuberance knew no bounds, but this time, surprisingly, there were no problems, just a sea of Buckeyes reveling in their hard-earned triumph. However, when comparing this to the aftermath of Ohio State’s defeat against Michigan, the contrast is stark.

After that heartbreaking loss, some fans even went so far as to call for Ryan Day’s dismissal, and he received death threats. Moreover, chaos ensued when Michigan’s defensive end, Derrick Moore, attempted to plant a flag midfield.

But this time Ohio State turned the page, staged a heroic comeback, and defied all expectations by bringing home the national championship. This is the ultimate response to critics—emerging victorious and proving them all wrong, leaving them to swallow their words.

Ohio State’s path of redemption

After suffering a brutal loss to Michigan, it honestly felt like the Buckeyes hit rock bottom. The boos rained down while Ohio State struggled to make any offensive progress, and Michigan secured their fourth consecutive victory. However, as the famous saying goes, tough times call for tough measures. Now, that loss to Michigan feels like a distant memory. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have completely turned things around and concluded the season with a national championship.

Let’s rewind back to the playoffs when Day faced immense pressure. The loss to Michigan left the fanbase in ruins, and when Tennessee fans flooded Ohio Stadium for the opening game, the tension only escalated. It felt as though the walls were closing in, but Day refused to succumb to the pressure.

With three quick touchdowns in the first quarter against the Vols, any doubts about his job security vanished. The Buckeyes played with a determined attitude, swiftly advancing through the rest of the playoffs like an unstoppable force.

Then came the Rose Bowl, and Ohio State didn’t just win—they completely dominated. By halftime, they were leading 34-8, and Oregon seemed utterly outmatched. While Texas put up some resistance, Jack Sawyer’s strip-sack touchdown sealed the deal and solidified Ohio State’s victory.

However, in the national championship, the Buckeyes faced actual pressure for the first time in the playoffs, but Day kept his cool. Also, things were in control; after a huge 57-yard catch from Jeremiah Smith and a game-winning field goal by Jayden Fielder, Ohio State sealed the deal. After all the doubts and criticism, Day proved the doubters wrong, saying, “Try losing the first game and see how that goes at Ohio State.” And the win meant everything to him and Ohio State.