1968 Purdue: The Buckeyes’ upset of #1 Purdue avenged a 41-6 loss just one year before and propelled the ’68 team to the national title. Paul Brown: His brief but successful tenure brought Ohio State to their first national title in 1942. 1974 Michigan St: In one of the Big Ten’s most controversial games ever, Ohio State’s unbeaten season and #1 ranking came crashing down in a frenetic climax.