Michigan Player Claims Ohio State’s National Championship Was Tainted, Igniting Fresh Controversy in College Football’s Fiercest Rivalry Battle
In the already volatile and emotionally charged world of college football rivalries, few matchups hold as much historical weight and bitter animosity as Michigan vs. Ohio State. Known simply as “The Game,” this annual showdown has long transcended sport. It’s a battle for pride, legacy, recruiting dominance, and the hearts of millions of fans across the Midwest and beyond. So when a Michigan football player recently suggested that Ohio State’s 2024 national championship title may be tainted, it wasn’t just a hot take—it became an earthquake shaking the foundation of an already fiery rivalry.
The comments came during an offseason podcast appearance that, by all indications, wasn’t expected to generate national headlines. But the moment Michigan linebacker Derrick Vance—an emotional leader and returning starter—voiced his belief that Ohio State’s championship “didn’t feel earned,” the college football world erupted. Vance didn’t directly accuse the Buckeyes of cheating, but his words left little room for ambiguity.
“You look at the way they got there, man,” Vance said. “It wasn’t through us. I mean, you win the natty, but you didn’t even have to beat your biggest rival to get there. That don’t sit right with me.”
Vance was, of course, referring to Ohio State’s path to the 2024 College Football Playoff. After losing a regular season heartbreaker to Michigan for the third consecutive year, the Buckeyes managed to sneak into the expanded 12-team playoff as an at-large bid. They were given new life by the committee, and from there, they ran the table—defeating Washington, Alabama, and ultimately, Texas, en route to capturing the program’s first national championship since 2014.
To Ohio State fans and players, it was a storybook run. Redemption. Validation. Proof that the program remained elite even in the face of recent shortcomings against their archrival. But to Vance—and some in the Michigan community—it raised uncomfortable questions about legitimacy and narrative control. After all, how could a team fail to win its own division, lose to its primary rival, and still be crowned the nation’s best?
While Vance’s comments might have initially seemed like sour grapes, they struck a nerve—both within the sport and among the public. College football has always wrestled with the tension between on-field results and the subjectivity of selection committees. The expanded playoff format was designed to reduce controversy by including more deserving teams. Yet in this case, it may have done the opposite. By granting Ohio State a second chance, it opened the door for accusations that the title came with an asterisk.
Unsurprisingly, Ohio State players fired back swiftly. Quarterback Devin Brown, who was named the playoff MVP and had one of the most statistically dominant postseason runs in recent memory, dismissed Vance’s claim with disdain.
“If you’re still talking about us after we hoisted the trophy, that says everything,” Brown posted on social media. “They had their shot. We’re the champs.”
Other Ohio State figures were more direct. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka called the claim “laughable,” while head coach Ryan Day stood firmly behind his team’s achievement.
“We played who was in front of us. We won every game when it mattered most. That’s what champions do,” Day told reporters during a summer press conference. “I’m not concerned with outside noise. Our focus is on 2025.”
Still, the comment sparked a broader discourse across media platforms. Was Vance merely expressing the frustration of a proud player watching his rival seize the ultimate prize? Or did his comment reflect a deeper issue about how college football defines success in the playoff era? As talking heads debated, fans from both sides dug in.
Michigan loyalists defended Vance’s perspective by pointing to recent dominance in The Game. Michigan had, after all, beaten Ohio State three years in a row—two of those wins coming by double digits. Their argument: how can the best team in the nation be one that couldn’t beat its most relevant competitor?
“Beating Alabama or Texas is cool,” said one Michigan fan on X. “But the natty doesn’t mean as much if you can’t handle business in Columbus.”
But Ohio State supporters quickly reminded the world that the playoff format doesn’t hinge on rivalry wins—it hinges on who’s still standing at the end of the season. And in 2024, that was the Buckeyes. What’s more, they didn’t just survive—they dominated. Each of their playoff wins came by multiple possessions, and Brown threw for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns across three games.
“What matters more—beating Michigan or hoisting the trophy?” asked a Buckeye alum on a national call-in show. “We know what we’d choose, and we did it.”
Interestingly, neutral observers found themselves caught in the middle of a philosophical debate. Is a national title less meaningful if you lose to your rival? Or does the playoff format change the equation? In an older system, losing to Michigan might have eliminated Ohio State from championship contention altogether. But in this new reality, redemption is possible, even after heartbreak.
Former players from both schools weighed in. Desmond Howard, the Michigan legend turned ESPN analyst, suggested that Vance’s comments, while emotional, weren’t without merit.
“There’s something unique about this rivalry,” Howard said. “It defines your season, whether you admit it or not. So I understand where the kid is coming from. When you beat Ohio State and still don’t win the title, it stings. And when they lose to you and do win it all? It stings even more.”
By contrast, former Buckeye star Chris Olave pushed back: “Look, I love the rivalry. But if we’re holding up the national championship trophy and you’re holding a rivalry win? I know which one I want.”
This debate may seem superficial, but it speaks to a larger truth about the evolving landscape of college football. The playoff era—especially the new 12-team format—has shifted the definition of a successful season. Where once rivalry wins and conference titles were the benchmarks, now the postseason path can rewrite history. A team like Ohio State can fall short in November but surge in December and January. And for teams like Michigan, dominance in the regular season can feel hollow if the ultimate prize remains elusive.
In the aftermath of Vance’s comments, Michigan’s coaching staff sought to downplay the controversy. Head coach Sherrone Moore didn’t publicly reprimand his player but made it clear the team would be focusing forward.
“Derrick’s a passionate guy. That’s why we love him,” Moore told local reporters. “But we’re not interested in talking about last year’s championship. We’re building for this year.”
Yet even Moore couldn’t ignore the implications. Whether intended or not, Vance’s words have added fuel to the fire. As if The Game needed any more intensity, the 2025 meeting between Michigan and Ohio State now carries the weight of legacy, validation, and rivalry supremacy all wrapped into one.
What’s more, the timing of the matchup—set for late November in Ann Arbor—could again serve as a de facto playoff elimination game. With both teams returning top-10 talent, stacked recruiting classes, and elite quarterback play, it’s likely they’ll enter the game with everything on the line. And with the emotions of last year’s title—and this offseason war of words—still simmering, the tension could reach historic heights.
In the end, Vance’s comment won’t change the record books. Ohio State is still the 2024 national champion. The confetti still fell. The trophy still sits in Columbus. But in the minds of Michigan players and fans, there’s a sense of unfinished business—a belief that true validation comes not just through playoff wins, but through defeating the team that knows you best.
So while some may dismiss Vance’s remarks as bitterness, others will see them as a declaration: that in the rivalry-driven world of college football, the scoreboard isn’t the only measure of truth. Perception, pride, and passion all matter. And this rivalry, like the sport itself, thrives on moments exactly like this—moments that keep fans talking, players focused, and the next matchup more anticipated than ever.
As the 2025 season looms, one thing is clear: the story is far from over. And the next chapter is guaranteed to be explosive.
