1979 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

The 1979 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1979-1980. The Buckeyes compiled a 11–1 record, including the 1980 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where they lost 17–16 to the Southern California Trojans.

Coaching staff

 * Earle Bruce - Head Coach (1st year)
 * Pete Carroll - Defensive Backs (1st year)
 * Dennis Fryzel - Defensive Coordinator (1st year)
 * Glen Mason - Offensive Line / Defensive Inside Linebackers (2nd year)
 * Bill Myles - Offensive Line (3rd year)
 * Wayne Stanley - Running Backs (1st year)
 * Steve Szabo - Defensive Line (1st year)
 * Bob Tucker - Defensive Outside Linebackers (1st year)
 * Fred Zechman - Quarterbacks/Receivers (1st year)

Michigan
Ohio State clinched the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl with an 18-15 victory over their archrivals. The Buckeyes had not beaten nor scored a touchdown against Michigan since 1975, the last time they had gone to Pasadena.