Chip Kelly Shoots Down Narrative About Michigan Before National Title

01/14/2025 05:40 PM

Losing to Michigan could have sent Ohio State's football program into a tailspin, but the Buckeyes are instead one win away from a national title.

On Nov. 30, Ohio State suffered a stunning 13-10 loss to Michigan as double-digit home favorites. The Buckeyes have since dominated in the College Football Playoff, notching three blowout wins by a combined 59 points entering next Monday's National Championship Game against Notre Dame.

Some observers have wondered if losing to the Wolverines was the best thing that could have happened to the Buckeyes. Did the setback give Ryan Day's team a perfectly timed wake-up call?

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly dismissed the idea that the Big Ten rivalry game motivated Ohio State before the CFP.

"I learned a long time ago as a coach that I'm not into narratives," Kelly said (h/t On3). "I think we live in a week-to-week world, and that's how we've always approached things."

While the media paints a portrait of Ohio State angrily responding to the Michigan loss, Kelly said the staff has focused on preparing for the next game.

"You've got about 20 hours to adjust to what happened, whether it was a win or whether it was a loss. And then you move on to the next game," Kelly continued. "So the narrative part of it isn't something I think coaches really talk about ... You guys are the experts at writing narratives. We're just trying to get a first down."

However, it's not an idea entirely manufactured from outside voices. Some Buckeyes players seem to share the same thought.

After Ohio State's first-round win over Tennessee, Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith said the team was "pissed off" after the Michigan game.

"We were ready to get that bad taste out of our mouth, let it all loose and dominate Tennessee," Smith said.

When Ohio State beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl, cornerback Davison Igbinosun wondered if the Buckeyes would have made the same run if not for that considerable setback.

"Probably not," he said, per CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd. "We kind of needed that."

Ohio State will face Notre Dame for the national title Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Related: The Betting Line For Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Changed On Sunday