The Buckeyes were awarded the title by the UPI Coaches Poll and represented the Big Ten Conference in the Rose Bowl.

It was a late star performance by sophomore fullback Bob White against unbeaten Iowa that pushed the team even further.

Trailing 13–10 and on their own 32-yard line, White ran on six of the eight plays for 66 out of the 68 yards, capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run.

[1] In a hard fought Rose Bowl game, a late field goal by Don Sutherin in the fourth quarter sealed the victory over the Oregon Webfoots.

[8] [9] [10] Ohio State played without halfback Don Clark, who was sidelined with a groin injury.