The NCAA college football season has officially concluded, with the Ohio St. Buckeyes taking home the national championship trophy after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The playoff bracket saw significant changes this year, expanding to a 12-team format. The first round featured a close Clemson vs. Texas game, Ohio St. and Penn St. dominating Tennessee and SMU respectively, and Notre Dame defeating Indiana. 

The quarterfinals had matchups with the four highest-ranked conference champions who received first-round byes. Arizona St. lost in a thriller to Texas, Ohio St. made Oregon look undeserving of the #1 seed, Boise St. couldn’t get star running back Ashton Jeanty going in their loss to Penn St., and Georgia’s backup quarterback, Gunner Stockton, replacing an injured (and now a Miami Hurricane) Carson Beck, couldn’t claim a win against Notre Dame. 

In the semifinals, one game was far more competitive than the other. Ohio St. beat Texas by two scores, 28-14, while Penn St. and Notre Dame entered the fourth quarter all tied up at 10-10. Then, Riley Leonard led a drive to a game-winning field goal, earning the Fighting Irish a 27-24  win.

The national championship expectations were high. Notre Dame had the opportunity to win their first title since a 12-0 1988 season, and Ryan Day’s Ohio St. could win their second national championship in ten years. Ultimately, the Buckeyes came out on top, 34-23. Will Howard threw 17/21, 231 yards, and two touchdowns. Riley Leonard threw 22/31 for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Quinshon Judkins had an impressive rushing performance for the Buckeyes, but it was a 56-yard strike from Howard to WR Jeremiah Smith that sealed it, leading to a field goal and a failed Notre Dame desperation drive.

The College Football Playoff Committee has discussed future potential changes to the playoff bracket, like changing how teams receive byes or even expanding to 14 teams at some point. It’s unclear whether those changes will take place, and when they are implemented if they do.