The 1996 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their ninth year under head coach John Cooper, the Buckeyes compiled an 11âÂÂ1 record (7âÂÂ1 in conference games), tied with Northwestern for the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 455 to 131. Against ranked opponents, the Buckeyes defeated No. 5 Notre Dame, No. 4 Penn State, and No. 20 Iowa, but lost to No. 21 Michigan in the final game of the regular season. The Buckeyes concluded the season with a 20âÂÂ17 victory over No. 2 Arizona State in the 1997 Rose Bowl. Ohio State was ranked No. 2 in the final AP poll.
The Buckeyes gained an average of 217.2 rushing yards and 196.3 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 89.5 rushing yards and 133.5 passing yards per game. Quarterback duties were split between junior Stanley Jackson (1,239 passing yards) and sophomore Joe Germaine (1,062 passing yards). The team's other statistical leaders included running back Pepe Pearson (1,373 rushing yards) and wide receiver Dimitrious Stanley (38 receptions for 705 yards). Offensive tackle Orlando Pace, defensive end Mike Vrabel, and defensive back Shawn Springs were selected as consensus first-team All-Americans. Four Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1996 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Pace (Coaches/Media); Vrabel (Coaches/Media); Springs (Coaches/Media); and defensive end Matt Finkes (Coaches/Media).
The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State went into the Rose Bowl with high hopes, and Germaine came off the bench and threw a late touchdown pass to David Boston to steal a come-from-behind victory. With the Buckeyes dramatic upset victory over the Sun Devils, Buckeye fans hoped for a share of the national title. However, Florida later avenged a late season loss to their rivals, and beat the Seminoles by a score of 52âÂÂ20. Florida finished first and Ohio State second in both polls, followed by Florida State and Arizona State. The Rose Bowl appearance was the Buckeyes first since 1985. The Rose Bowl victory was the sixth in school history, the first since 1974. Germaine was named Rose Bowl MVP.