ATLANTA -- Ohio State had nine third-down conversions on Monday, but only one will be remembered as the play that essentially cemented the Buckeyes as champions. Eighth-seeded Ohio State had to overcome a lot to put itself within minutes of a title -- a one-point loss to then-No. 3 Oregon back on Oct. 12 and an embarrassing setback against unranked Michigan to close the regular season that had Buckeyes fans calling for coach Ryan Day to be fired. So that's why Ohio State didn't panic when No. 7 seed Notre Dame rallied in the second half, allowing the Buckeyes to escape with a 34-23 victory in the College Football Playoff title game.
Ohio State starts hot, holds off Notre Dame for national title
