Ohio State coach Ryan Day hoists college football’s crowned jewel with confetti falling overhead. His Buckeyes, who beat Notre Dame 34-23 Monday to win the national title, have cemented their place in program history.

In the history of the college football, no team has faced a tougher path to the championship. OSU fell to No. 8 in the CFP bracket after losing to Michigan but outscored its four postseason opponents – No. 9 Tennessee, No. 1 Oregon, No. 5 Texas and No. 7 Notre Dame – by a combined score of 145-75.

Of all the unholy alliances, Michigan fans rooting for Notre Dame is one that violates every cardinal rule of college football.

Former Ohio State football head coach Jim Tressel had a feeling that the Buckeyes would respond well after losing to Michigan.

What a great debate for Ohio State fans to have forever. When that teardrop of a throw from Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard on third-and-11 finally landed, light as a feather, in the hands of receiver Jeremiah Smith late in the fourth quarter Monday,

Velazquez has been at Ohio State long enough to know and respect one simple rule around his teammates: Do not say the word "Michigan."

By the time the meeting concluded, emotions had run high, tears had been shed—and Ohio State had been born anew. The Buckeyes are national champions, completing their run to the program’s first title since 2014 with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame on Monday night.