Georgia beat Ohio State 42-41 on Saturday, December 31.

Going into this game, Georgia were the favorites by a large margin, matching up with the “soft” Ohio State Football Team.

The Buckeyes snuck into the CFP after Utah took down USC in the PAC-12 Championship game, moving USC down to number six and moving number five Ohio State up to the number four spot. Whoever would win this game between the two teams will move on to the National Championship to face the number three ranked TCU Horned Frogs. TCU defeated Michigan earlier that day before Ohio State and Georgia were going to face off.

As the Ohio State Buckeyes were going into the week, C.J. Stroud had words to say after the loss to Michigan going into the Georgia game.

“It’s a team game. I don’t go out there by myself and do it on my own. We need all 11 players to touch the field and do their job really,” said Stroud.

CJ Stroud and the Buckeyes exceeded expectations without star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, running back Treveyon Henderson and losing star player Marvin Harrison Jr. in the 3rd quarter who already recorded 2 touchdowns in one half. Jaxon Smith-Njigba declared for the draft earlier that month because he suffered a hamstring injury earlier that season, missing almost the entire season after only appearing in three games. Many believe if they were healthy, they could have won after the game ended.

Smith-Njigba received much backlash after declaring for the draft early in the month of December.

“I did everything possible to put myself in a position to get back on the field multiple times this year. I wanted it as much, if not more than anyone else,” states Smith-Njigba in a letter.

Stroud was considered one of the worst QBs in Ohio State history after losing to Michigan back to back years and being 0-2 against them. The Ohio State QB was being told he couldn’t run and was very soft as a person. Stroud continued to go 23/34 for 348 yards, four touchdowns, and also running for 34 yards on 12 carries while having many clutch carries to give them a chance to score at the end of the game proving his dominance.

Stroud talked to the media after the game defending his team.

“I just try to leave it all on the line. I honestly — games like this, it’s a loss for words when it comes down to one play. Honestly, it doesn’t come down to one play, so many things that line up to those plays,” said Stroud after the loss.