Since the start of the 2014 college football season, the Ohio State University football program has firmly established itself as one of the most dominant forces in the sport. Over the span of eleven seasons, the Buckeyes have maintained an average SP+ rating of 28.1, a remarkable statistical achievement that places them second only to Alabama during that period. This consistency and performance reflect a program that, regardless of coaching changes, personnel turnover, or shifts in offensive and defensive schemes, has managed to stay elite year after year. The SP+ rating, developed by ESPN’s Bill Connelly, is a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure that factors in efficiency, explosiveness, field position, finishing drives, and turnover margin. A rating of 28.1 over an extended period speaks volumes about Ohio State’s balance on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Buckeyes have consistently produced high-octane, explosive units, while defensively, they’ve fielded fast, physical, and technically sound teams capable of smothering top-tier opponents. It’s rare in modern college football to see a program perform at such a high level for over a decade without major dips in production or success.
Ohio State’s dominance during this era is not just a product of advanced metrics—it is also evident in the traditional rankings. From 2014 through 2024, the Buckeyes finished in the Associated Press Top 10 at the end of every single season. That means eleven consecutive years of being regarded as one of the ten best teams in the country, a feat that even other elite programs like Georgia, Clemson, or LSU have failed to replicate over the same stretch. This consistency is particularly impressive given the evolving landscape of college football. In that time, the sport has undergone significant changes, including the implementation and expansion of the College Football Playoff, the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, and more lenient transfer rules. These changes have introduced greater parity and roster fluidity, yet Ohio State has adapted and thrived through it all. Their ability to remain a constant force amid so much change is a testament to the institution’s infrastructure, recruiting power, and coaching philosophy.
The Buckeyes’ rise to national prominence in this era began with their 2014 national championship run under Urban Meyer. That season, they overcame early adversity, including a loss to Virginia Tech, and rallied behind third-string quarterback Cardale Jones to win the inaugural College Football Playoff. They capped the season with dominant wins over Alabama and Oregon, firmly planting their flag among the elite. That title run set the tone for the next decade, as Ohio State became a fixture in playoff discussions, Big Ten championships, and major bowl appearances. Even in seasons where they didn’t win it all, they were never far from the top, often finishing in the top five and always remaining within striking distance of the national championship. What makes Ohio State’s success even more impressive is that it spanned two different head coaches. After Urban Meyer stepped down following the 2018 season, Ryan Day took over and seamlessly continued the program’s dominance. Under Day, the Buckeyes maintained their elite recruiting, offensive production, and national relevance. They didn’t just sustain the success—they elevated parts of it, particularly with quarterback development and explosive passing offenses.
Throughout this eleven-year stretch, Ohio State has routinely produced NFL-caliber talent at an extraordinary rate. Whether it’s quarterbacks like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud, defensive ends like Chase Young and Nick Bosa, or wide receivers like Garrett Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., the Buckeyes have become synonymous with player development. Their ability to recruit five-star talent and mold it into top-tier college players and future professionals has created a self-sustaining cycle of excellence. Top high school players are drawn to Columbus not only because of the opportunity to compete for championships but also because of the proven track record of development and exposure. That recruiting pipeline has been crucial to maintaining their SP+ dominance. The metric is not just a reflection of strategy—it’s a reflection of talent, depth, and execution. Few programs can claim to have all three working in harmony for over a decade, but Ohio State can.
One of the hallmark seasons that encapsulates Ohio State’s prowess came in 2019, when they finished the regular season undefeated and advanced to the College Football Playoff under first-year head coach Ryan Day. That team was statistically dominant on both sides of the ball, regularly blowing out opponents and finishing near the top in nearly every advanced metric category. Despite falling just short in the semifinal against Clemson, that season reinforced that the Buckeyes were not just surviving the post-Meyer era—they were thriving. Their offense, led by Justin Fields, and their defense, anchored by Chase Young, represented the best in college football. The 2019 campaign exemplified the convergence of elite coaching, talent, and execution, a pattern repeated many times over the course of this era. Another standout year was 2024, which saw Ohio State overcome adversity to capture another national title. Entering the playoff as the No. 8 seed, they defeated a gauntlet of elite teams including Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame. The championship cemented their place as not just a regular-season power, but as a team capable of executing under the highest pressure in postseason play. Their final No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll that year was the culmination of one of the most impressive postseason runs in modern college football history.
But Ohio State’s sustained excellence isn’t limited to the years in which they won or competed for national championships. In seasons where they fell short of the playoff or the Big Ten title, they still finished the year in the Top 10, demonstrating a remarkably high floor. Even in years of transition or disappointment by their own lofty standards—like 2023, when they finished No. 10 after a close loss to Michigan and a bowl defeat—they remained a top-tier program by any metric. That level of sustained success speaks to the program’s resilience and depth. It’s one thing to build a team that can win a championship once; it’s another to build a program that competes for it every year, regardless of circumstances. Few programs have achieved that level of consistency, and fewer still have done so while dealing with the unique pressures and expectations that come with being at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have also maintained their dominance in one of college football’s most competitive conferences. The Big Ten has seen a surge in strength during this era, with the rise of Michigan, Penn State’s resurgence, and the addition of powerhouse programs like USC and Oregon. Yet through all of it, Ohio State has remained the standard-bearer. Their ability to dominate conference play, win Big Ten championships, and hold up against elite non-conference competition highlights the completeness of the program. They have rarely been outclassed and often dictate the style of play in every game they enter. Their ability to adjust to different game plans, control the line of scrimmage, and utilize speed and skill at the skill positions has set them apart. These qualities are reflected in their advanced metrics and traditional results alike.
What makes their SP+ average of 28.1 so impressive is that it is not built on a few great seasons skewing the numbers. Rather, it’s a consistent presence near the top of the national rankings year after year. In some seasons, their SP+ rating even exceeded 30, indicating a team operating at near-historic levels of efficiency and dominance. Those highs were balanced by few, if any, true “down” years, which is rare in a sport as volatile as college football. Injuries, transfers, unexpected losses—these are all factors that can derail a season for most programs. For Ohio State, they’ve been little more than speed bumps. The Buckeyes have built a culture of winning that permeates every level of the program. From recruiting and development to in-game coaching and culture, every aspect is designed to sustain excellence. That culture is what allows them to weather losses, adapt to change, and continue performing at a championship level. It is what separates them from good programs and places them in the same conversation as Alabama, a program they trail only slightly in average SP+ over the same span.
To be clear, Alabama’s dominance during this period is historic, but Ohio State’s place just behind them is secure and well-earned. The gap is narrow, and in many years, Ohio State has outperformed the Crimson Tide in certain statistical categories and head-to-head matchups. Alabama may have more titles, but Ohio State has been every bit as consistent and fearsome. Their performance in the regular season, their place in the postseason, and their player development success rate all suggest a program that belongs in the pantheon of college football greats. Eleven years of elite play, underscored by eleven straight Top 10 finishes and a towering SP+ average of 28.1, confirms what fans and analysts already know: the Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the greatest and most consistent college football programs of the modern era. Their success is not a fluke, nor is it simply a matter of tradition or history—it is the product of elite execution, from the top down, every single year.
