The College Football Playoff championship trophy is on display. (Source: USA TODAY Sports)
College football crowns champions differently than pro sports. The system changed multiple times over decades. Understanding who won the college football championship requires looking at various eras and formats.
How Championship Selection Changed Over Time
Before 1998, polls picked national champions. Coaches and writers voted on the best team. Sometimes two teams claimed titles in the same year.
The BCS era ran from 1998 to 2013. Computer rankings and polls determined which two teams played for the title. This system still sparked controversy about team selection.
The College Football Playoff started in 2014. Four teams compete in semifinal games. Winners meet in the national championship game. This format continues today.
Celebrating Championships and Downtime
Championship seasons create intense fan engagement. People follow every game closely. The off-season brings different activities for sports fans.
Many fans explore various forms of entertainment between football seasons. The time away from games allows people to try new activities and promotions. Some sites offer perfect casino $200 no deposit bonus deals for exploring games during off-season months. These introductory offers let people test new platforms while waiting for football to return. Entertainment choices vary widely among college football followers.
The connection between sports fandom and leisure activities has grown over years. Fans find multiple ways to stay entertained year-round.
College Football Playoff Era Champions (2014-Present)
The CFP brought clarity to championship selection. Four teams enter. One team leaves as undisputed champion.
2024 Season Champion
Michigan won the 2024 college football national championship. The Wolverines defeated Washington 34-13 in Houston. This marked Michigan's first title since 1997.
Blake Corum rushed for two touchdowns in the championship game. Michigan's defense held Washington to just 13 points. The college football national championship 2024 score reflected Michigan's dominance.
2023 Season Champion
Georgia won back-to-back titles by beating TCU 65-7. The Bulldogs scored the most points in any national championship game. TCU couldn't match Georgia's talent across the roster.
Stetson Bennett threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns. Georgia's defense forced multiple turnovers. The blowout showed the gap between elite programs and underdogs.
2022 Season Champion
Georgia ended a 41-year title drought by beating Alabama 33-18. The Bulldogs defense shut down Heisman winner Bryce Young. Stetson Bennett outplayed the Alabama offense.
This victory ended Alabama's recent dominance. Georgia proved defense still wins championships. The game featured multiple lead changes before Georgia pulled away.
2021 Season Champion
Alabama defeated Ohio State 52-24 in the championship. Mac Jones threw for 464 yards and five touchdowns. DeVonta Smith caught 12 passes for 215 yards.
Ohio State couldn't slow down Alabama's offense. The Crimson Tide scored touchdowns on nearly every possession. This championship marked Alabama's sixth title under Nick Saban.
2020 Season Champion
LSU completed a perfect 15-0 season by beating Clemson 42-25. Joe Burrow threw five touchdown passes. The Tigers offense set multiple records during their undefeated run.
Burrow won the Heisman Trophy weeks before the championship. LSU's high-powered offense overwhelmed every opponent. This team ranks among the greatest in college football history.
2019 Season Champion
Clemson crushed Alabama 44-16 in a shocking upset. The Tigers led 31-16 at halftime. Trevor Lawrence threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns.
This game ended Alabama's championship streak. Clemson proved they belonged among college football's elite. The victory launched Clemson's dynasty run.
2018 Season Champion
Alabama beat Georgia 26-23 in overtime. Tua Tagovailoa came off the bench in the second half. His 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith won the game.
Georgia led 13-0 at halftime. Alabama's halftime adjustments changed everything. This game became an instant classic.
2017 Season Champion
Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 in Tampa. Deshaun Watson threw the game-winning touchdown with one second left. The Tigers ended Alabama's recent dominance.
Watson threw for 420 yards and four touchdowns. The lead changed hands multiple times. This championship game ranks among the best ever played.
2016 Season Champion
Alabama crushed Clemson 45-40 in Arizona. The game featured 1,004 total yards. Both offenses moved the ball at will.
Deshaun Watson threw for 405 yards. Alabama's offense matched Clemson score for score. The Crimson Tide prevailed in a shootout.
2015 Season Champion
Alabama shut down Clemson 45-40 in the first CFP championship. The Crimson Tide dominated from start to finish. This victory proved the CFP format worked.
2014 Season Champion
Ohio State won the inaugural CFP by beating Oregon 42-20. The Buckeyes used their third-string quarterback all postseason. Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 246 yards in the championship.
Cardale Jones threw for 242 yards despite limited starting experience. Ohio State's unexpected championship run shocked college football. The last time Ohio state won a national championship before 2024 was this 2014 season.
BCS Era Champions (1998-2013)
The BCS matched the top two teams based on computer rankings. This system replaced the bowl coalition. Championships went to single winners instead of split titles.
Recent BCS Champions
2013: Florida State beat Auburn 34-31
2012: Alabama defeated Notre Dame 42-14
2011: Alabama crushed LSU 21-0
2010: Auburn beat Oregon 22-19
2009: Alabama defeated Texas 37-21
Notable BCS Moments
The 2005 championship featured Texas beating USC 41-38. Vince Young's performance became legendary. This game often tops lists of greatest college football games.
USC entered undefeated and heavily favored. Texas trailed in the fourth quarter. Young's rushing touchdown with 19 seconds left won the title.
Most Championships by Program
Alabama: 18 claimed national titles (6 since 2009)
Notre Dame: 11 claimed titles
Ohio State: 8 claimed titles
USC: 11 claimed titles
Michigan: 11 claimed titles (most recent in 2024)
Alabama's recent dominance under Nick Saban changed college football. The Crimson Tide won six titles between 2009 and 2021. No other program matched this success rate.
Key Championship Trends
Home state advantage matters less in neutral site games: Champions come from all regions now
Defense wins championships remains true: Top defensive teams win most titles despite offensive fireworks
Quarterback play determines outcomes: Every recent champion had elite QB performance
Recruiting rankings predict success: Teams in the top 5 recruiting classes win most championships
Coaching experience matters: Veteran coaches like Saban and Swinney dominated the CFP era
The 2025 Season and Beyond
The CFP expands to 12 teams starting in 2024. This change will dramatically alter championship selection. More teams get opportunities to compete for titles.
Conference realignment reshapes college football. USC and UCLA joined the Big Ten. Texas and Oklahoma moved to the SEC. These changes affect championship paths.
The transfer portal lets players switch schools freely. Star quarterbacks can join championship contenders quickly. This mobility increases competitive balance across programs.
Why Championships Matter
National championships define coaching legacies. Nick Saban's six titles at Alabama cement his greatness. Dabo Swinney's two titles at Clemson validate his system.
Championships drive recruiting success. Top high school players want to compete for titles. Programs with recent championships land better recruiting classes.
Fan bases remember championship seasons forever. Michigan fans will discuss the 2024 title for decades. These moments become part of school tradition and identity.
Looking Back at Historic Champions
Who won the national championship varies by era and selection method. The sport evolved from poll-based selections to playoff formats. Each system had strengths and weaknesses.
Who won the NCAA football championship last year? Michigan claimed the 2024 title by dominating Washington. The Wolverines defense and ground game proved unstoppable. This championship ended Michigan's 26-year title drought.
Ohio State's last national championship came in 2014 during the first CFP. The Buckeyes shocked Oregon behind their third-string quarterback. That unexpected run remains one of college football's best stories.
College football championships create lasting memories. Programs build dynasties around these victories. Fans treasure these moments across generations. The sport's championship history shows both consistency among blue bloods and occasional Cinderella runs that shock the nation.
