When Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller was lost for the season due to injury in August camp the Buckeyes were written off as dead. When Ohio State lost at home to a mediocre Virginia Tech team 35-21 they were buried. And when Miller’s replacement, J.T. Barrett was injured in the regular season finale they were made underdogs against the big bruisers from Wisconsin. When Ohio State leapfrogged Baylor and TCU to get the fourth and final berth for the historic and first ever College Football Playoff they were derided as undeserving. They now finish as fully validated national champions.
As playoff underdogs against Alabama with a third string QB Ohio State powered to a 42-35 win against the gold standard of college football. In the National Championship Game, the underdog Buckeyes completed a remarkable run for the ages with a 42-20 statement making win over the Oregon Ducks.
Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said it best, “This will go down as one of the great stories in college football history.”
The Book of Ezekiel
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliot powered to 246 yards rushing on 36 carries with four touchdowns against Oregon. The line blocking of Ohio State overpowered the Ducks and allowed Elliot the maximum opportunity to gain yards. Elliott was the Offensive Most Valuable Player and finished the post season with a stunning 696 yards rushing.
“With all stuff we went through to get here. It’s just crazy,” said Elliott. “It doesn’t feel real.”
Quack Attack Stifled
Ohio State outgained Oregon 538-465 in yards and had a 28-20 first down advantage. The Buckeyes had a dominant 37:29 time of possession. Oregon was unable to take advantage of four Ohio State turnovers and was a miserable 2-12 on third down conversions. The Ducks also failed to deliver the goods on two fourth down conversions. The sloppy Ducks committed 10 penalties compared to just two penalties against the disciplined Buckeyes.
Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Marcus Mariota passed for 333 yards and two touchdowns but was unable to engineer clutch conversions and red zone opportunities when it mattered most. The Ducks third down conversion rate was their worst of the season.
The Oregon offense that often terrorizes opponents with its frightening power failed to impress or complete against Ohio State. The Ducks looked weak and like the lesser team that they proved to be.
“Their front seven is unbelievable,” said Oregon receiver Byron Marshall. “I think we missed some opportunities, and they played a great game.”
Jones Makes History
Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones completed his stunning g three game stint as the third stringer who rescued the Buckeyes in their three biggest games of the year. Jones was a polished 16 for 23 passing good for 242 yards and a touchdown in the win over Oregon. The sophomore proved that he could start and win for any team in the land.
“Late August, around camp, everybody counted us out when our Heisman Trophy quarterback went down, and then when the first College Football Playoff rankings came out, we was like number 16 or 17,” said Jones. “Long story short, we weren’t supposed to be here.”
Validation
The playoff selection committee took a lot of heat for picking the Buckeyes as the fourth and final team while leaving behind surging TCU and a Baylor team that is similar to Oregon in its style and ability. Both the committee and the Buckeyes have been clearly vindicated in convincing fashion.
The Big Ten Conference is also vindicated after being the butt of well-deserved jokes for the past several years due to its failure in bowl games and against top ranked competition. The conference is now looking like the League of the Future.
What it Means
It can be argued that Ohio State is the truest champion in the history of the game. There will be predictions of a dynasty for the Buckeyes due to their youth and with Meyer firmly back as the best coach in the game. The Southeastern Conference has now been put on notice that the Big Ten is back and the Pac 12 can compete at the highest levels as well.
As the first ever College Football Playoff ends it is now apparent that the best days of college football beckon and a new era of parity has arrived.
