Ohio State’s victory, 34-23, over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game marks a significant milestone, making the Buckeyes the inaugural champions of the new 12-team playoff format. Interestingly, Ohio State was also the first victor of the four-team playoff system. This trend of being a pioneer is becoming notable.

But how do the Buckeyes measure up against other national champions in the history of the playoff?

Their regular-season defeats to Oregon and their rival Michigan weaken their case for claiming the top spot among the 11 teams. Yet, the Buckeyes achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first team in Bowl Subdivision history to win four playoff games in one postseason, setting them apart as contenders for the title of best team since the playoff’s inception in 2014.

However, their accomplishments don’t quite compare to standout teams like the 2020 Alabama and 2019 LSU squads, which rank highly in our list of playoff champions:

1. 2020 Alabama (13-0)

Led by an unstoppable offense featuring Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, the 2020 Crimson Tide can be argued as one of the most exceptional teams in modern FBS history. In a challenging season impacted by the COVID pandemic, Alabama achieved an unbeaten record against 11 SEC opponents, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, scoring no fewer than 31 points in every game, surpassing 41 points in all but two games, and winning each game by a minimum margin of 15 points. This was a powerful team, characteristic of the peak of Nick Saban’s coaching era.

2. 2019 LSU (15-0)

This offense will be remembered throughout FBS history. With players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and more, this group was one of the most formidable and dynamic seen in the Power Four. Burrow threw for 5,671 yards, achieving 60 touchdown passes and winning the Heisman. LSU played and prevailed against seven ranked teams, including Alabama and Georgia, but their real explosion began after a victory over Auburn on October 26. From that point on, they solidified their status as an all-time great team.

3. 2022 Georgia (15-0)

Not far behind the top two teams are the 2022 Bulldogs, who won consecutive championships and became the first team since 1980 to achieve a perfect season. Their defense was once again impressive, complemented by an enhanced offense that was ranked fourth in the nation for yards gained per play. Georgia defeated five teams ranked in the top 15, and they capped off an unforgettable season with a staggering 58-point victory over TCU, securing their position as the first back-to-back champions in the playoff era.

4. 2018 Clemson (15-0)

Before LSU matched or surpassed their achievement the following year, the 2018 Tigers authored one of the most commanding two-game runs in the four-team playoff era, defeating Notre Dame 30-3 and Alabama 44-16. Freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence became a household name after an outstanding performance against the Crimson Tide, throwing for 347 yards and three touchdowns. The defensive line anchored by Christian Wilkins is considered one of the best in history. Overall, Clemson overcame 12 bowl-bound teams but faced a relatively less challenging schedule compared to the other undefeated teams on this list.

5. 2024 Ohio State (14-2)

Claiming victories over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame is noteworthy for postseason success. Prior to this season, teams only needed to win two games to claim the national title; Ohio State won two initial games, then secured two more. At their peak, the Buckeyes were the top team in the Bowl Subdivision, demonstrating an unyielding offensive presence. However, their loss to Michigan cannot be disregarded, and being the first playoff champion with multiple losses adds another layer of complexity. Nevertheless, their journey through the playoff cements Ohio State’s status among the elite.

6. 2021 Georgia (14-1)

Although the Bulldogs faced one setback against Alabama in the SEC championship, they redeemed themselves by defeating the Tide 33-18 in the playoff final. Unlike the more balanced 2022 team, the 2021 squad was primarily defined by their stifling defense, allowing only 10.2 points per game to lead the FBS and conceded just 16 touchdowns all season. However, the offense lacked the explosive capability it later displayed with the former quarterback Stetson Bennett’s resurgence in the next season.

7. 2023 Michigan (15-0)

Michigan’s regular-season schedule lacked strength, featuring only two significant contenders (Penn State and Ohio State), leading to some criticism. Nevertheless, they were well-deserving national champions and one of the finest teams in the program’s storied history. Despite being underrated, the offense effectively combined physical dominance with strong performances from quarterback J.J. McCarthy. On the defensive side, Michigan proved themselves during Big Ten matchups and impressively handled Alabama and Washington in the title game.

8. 2016 Clemson (14-1)

Clemson faced a string of relatively strong to very good teams, with 13 out of their 15 opponents qualifying for the postseason. The Tigers played several close games against teams like Auburn, Troy, Louisville, North Carolina State, Florida State, and Virginia Tech, while suffering a loss to Pittsburgh. Despite this, they triumphed in a thrilling championship against Alabama, clinching victory with a memorable last-minute touchdown.

9. 2015 Alabama (14-1)

The 2015 Crimson Tide concluded their season by defeating teams ranked No. 1 (Clemson), No. 2 (LSU), and No. 3 (Michigan State), which is certainly commendable. However, Alabama also experienced a loss to Mississippi in September and displayed inconsistency on offense, finishing the year ranked 49th nationally in yards per play and 46th in yards per carry. Nonetheless, this team rose to the occasion at pivotal moments, securing victory over Clemson 45-40 in the championship game.

10. 2014 Ohio State (14-1)

The Buckeyes catapulted into the top four of the final playoff rankings after a resounding win against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship and proceeded to defeat both Alabama and Oregon. Credit should be given to Ohio State for clinching the title despite enduring losses of two starting quarterbacks (Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett) and winning their last three games with third-stringer Cardale Jones. Nonetheless, they faced a loss to Virginia Tech in non-conference play, needed double overtime to secure victory over Penn State, and had some defensive inconsistencies.

11. 2017 Alabama (13-1)

Finally, the 2017 team ranks at the bottom as the only four-team playoff champion that did not win its own division. After losing the Iron Bowl and the SEC West to rival Auburn, the Tide entered the playoff as the No. 4 seed, defeating Clemson in the semi-finals and edging Georgia 26-23 in overtime, following a pivotal quarterback change from Jalen Hurts to Tua Tagovailoa that led to a thrilling walk-off touchdown in OT.