Dominating performance by OSU. That was a well deserved championship. Just think, if it wasn't for the B1G refs handing them 10 points and the game at Penn State game they wouldn't have even sniffed the playoffs.

Ohio State runs over Oregon 42-20 to capture national title
Nicole Auerbach and Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports 12:19 a.m. EST January 13, 2015


Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

ARLINGTON, Texas — Analyzing No. 4 Ohio State's 42-20 victory against No. 3 Oregon in Monday's College Football Playoff championship game:

THE BIG PICTURE: The College Football Playoff selection committee got this one right. It picked Ohio State for the fourth spot in its inaugural four-team playoff, and while the Buckeyes were arguably the hottest team in the country at that time, they still had a major blemish on their résumé — a Week 2 loss to Virginia Tech at home. But now, imagine this Playoff without Ohio State. Imagine a national champion crowned that wasn't this team. The Buckeyes backed up the committee's faith by proving not only were they one of the country's four best — they were undoubtedly the top team, even with a third-string quarterback.

On the other hand, everything had seemingly fallen into place for Oregon. Its quarterback, Marcus Mariota, was the finest player in program history. After early struggles, the offensive line rounded into form after a loss to Arizona in October — and entered the championship game playing its best football of the season. The defense had found its groove under first-year coordinator Don Pellum, playing an opportunistic and aggressive style that melded well with the team's frenetic and prolific offensive philosophy. Unmentioned during the days leading into the title game was an indisputable fact: Oregon might never have a better chance to win the national title.

That the Ducks came up short will be difficult for the program to swallow. Oregon is set to lose Mariota, who is expected to forego his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft, as well as a number of key senior contributors — from center Hroniss Grasu through defensive backs Troy Hill and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. Next year's team might be ranked among the top teams in the Pac-12 Conference, but it won't be viewed as a championship contender.​

WHAT WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT, PART I: Good Cardale, bad Cardale and good Cardale again. By the midpoint of the second quarter, the Ohio State third-string quarterback had already completed passes of 26, 26 (again) and 47 yards. Hype surrounding Jones — who's 6-5, 250 and has a cannon for an arm — continued to reach mythological proportions as he led the Buckeyes to a 21-7 lead. Could he declare for the NFL draft after just three career starts? Twitter was abuzz with the possibility.

Shortly after halftime, though, Jones' fairytale seemed to come crashing to an end. First, he threw an interception that bounced off receiver Jalin Marshall and into the open arms of a Duck. On Ohio State's next possession, he inexplicably fumbled the ball while being chased in the backfield. Oregon scored 10 points off those two turnovers alone, and the Ducks pulled within one point en route.

But Jones still had a bit of magic left. He and running back Ezekiel Elliott orchestrated a 75-yard touchdown drive that pushed the Buckeyes' lead to eight. Turns out, that's all Ohio State needed to secure victory.

WHAT WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT, PART II: Oregon wide receiver Darren Carrington was ruled ineligible for the championship game after failing an NCAA-sanctioned drug test. That robbed the Ducks of another valued receiving target, joining redshirt freshman Devon Allen, who was injured in the Rose Bowl, and tight end Pharaoh Brown, who suffered a season-ending injury in November. The lack of experience at the position showed during the first quarter.

After scoring on its first drive, Oregon's second possession ended on a key third-down drop by freshman Charles Nelson. One drive later, after Ohio State had evened the score at 7-7, normally trustworthy sophomore Dwayne Stanford — wide open along the right sideline — dropped a pass that would have resulted in a gain of more than 30 yards. Mariota was accurate, at always. His receivers let him down early, costing Oregon potential scoring opportunities. Even as the Ducks drew within a single point at 21-20 in the third quarter, those first-half missteps loomed large.

BREAKOUT PLAYER: Ohio State's workhorse, running back Ezekiel Elliott. He had 36 carries for 246 yards and four touchdowns, his third impressive performance of the postseason. He's rushed for more than 200 yards each of the last three games — against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon, no less — which is the first time a running back has done that in program history.

THE TURNING POINT: Ohio State wobbled Oregon with back-to-back scoring drives to end the first quarter. After another sloppy Oregon possession — atypical for the Ducks' typically explosive offense — the Buckeyes drove across midfield with the goal of taking a 14-point lead early into the second quarter. But after a near-perfect start, Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones made his first mistake: Jones double-clutched on a handoff to running back Ezekiel Elliott, causing the ball to spill on the turf and into the arms of Oregon defensive tackle Alex Balducci.

But Oregon was unable to convert. After driving deep inside the Ohio State red zone, the Ducks opted for a fourth-down try rather than attempt a short field goal. The biggest gamble of Oregon coach Mark Helfrich's career backfired: Oregon was stopped inches shy of the end zone, shifting momentum back into the Buckeyes' factor. Two drives later, Ohio State went 50 yards on six plays to take a 21-7 lead.

Though the Ducks forced two turnovers and pulled within one point in the third quarter, they never tied the game. Those points left on the board will haunt Oregon fans for quite some time.

KEY STAT: Ohio State forced Oregon into three punts in the first quarter. That was the first time the Ducks had punted three or more times in the first 15 minutes since 2009.

KEY STAT, PART II: With the win, Ohio State moved to 91-1 when leading by 14 or more points at any time in a game in the last 10 seasons.


Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer holds up the championship trophy. (Photo: Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/n.../21673353/

If nothing else, this win firmly cements the CFP selection board's criteria and puts more pressure on the B12...

Just saying, from a UC perspective, as bad as it might seem, this result is nothing but good.
It makes that game back in October look much better, it makes the CFP's decision to include OSU look sound... Win, win baby.

(01-13-2015 12:29 AM)Overrated Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:27 AM)dossbig Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:10 AM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  LOL! Typical Urb, don't take a knee.

He is a great coach but a classless person.

Product of UC. Funny to see UC's fans little brother syndrome toward OSU cloud their judgement of him. If he coached for any other school I imagine the tone of the conversation would be completely different.

Like when he coached a team down south and ran up the score on us? Sorry but this has nothing to do with where he coaches.

(01-13-2015 02:24 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  If nothing else, this win firmly cements the CFP selection board's criteria and puts more pressure on the B12...

Just saying, from a UC perspective, as bad as it might seem, this result is nothing but good.
It makes that game back in October look much better, it makes the CFP's decision to include OSU look sound... Win, win baby.

That is a very positive perspective on an otherwise awful result.

I will start off by saying I was impressed with O$U's ability to keep winning despite losing their 1st and 2nd string qb's. I think some congrats are in order for that. BUT.....

I saw Urban Meyer after the game say something like, "We weren't supposed to do this this year.". Why? The team is LOADED with four and five star players top to bottom, they have the best coaches money can buy, the best facilities, the best everything. Yeah, they lost two qb's but their 3rd stringer would have started for many many other college teams, and I mean in the P5. So I disagree with Meyer...they should have done this. To act like they were some cindarella story is comical.

How do UC fans get lucky enough to be sandwiched in between O$U football and UK hoops? Is there are worse location in the nation in regards to dbag fans in a tight radius?

That OSU team hit a whole new gear against Wisconsin and never looked back. I don't think I have ever seen an Ohio State team play as well as this one did against Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon. I am glad the title is coming back to the Midwest.

Sidenote: I think the new trophy is ugly.

(01-13-2015 07:02 AM)MickMack Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:29 AM)Overrated Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:27 AM)dossbig Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:10 AM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  LOL! Typical Urb, don't take a knee.

He is a great coach but a classless person.

Product of UC. Funny to see UC's fans little brother syndrome toward OSU cloud their judgement of him. If he coached for any other school I imagine the tone of the conversation would be completely different.

Like when he coached a team down south and ran up the score on us? Sorry but this has nothing to do with where he coaches.

He didn't run the score up on us. They essentially took the entire 4th quarter off and still scored 51 on us. Our defense was bad.

(01-13-2015 07:50 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I will start off by saying I was impressed with O$U's ability to keep winning despite losing their 1st and 2nd string qb's. I think some congrats are in order for that. BUT.....

I saw Urban Meyer after the game say something like, "We weren't supposed to do this this year.". Why? The team is LOADED with four and five star players top to bottom, they have the best coaches money can buy, the best facilities, the best everything. Yeah, they lost two qb's but their 3rd stringer would have started for many many other college teams, and I mean in the P5. So I disagree with Meyer...they should have done this. To act like they were some cindarella story is comical.

How do UC fans get lucky enough to be sandwiched in between O$U football and UK hoops? Is there are worse location in the nation in regards to dbag fans in a tight radius?

Worst part about it is that I somehow know multiple people that are "diehard" O$U football fans that magically become UK basketball fans come January each year.

I have no idea how they sit that kid at QB next year. Reminds me a little of Big Ben. Elusive and really hard to bring down. And strong armed. Rich get richer.

(01-13-2015 08:09 AM)qsilvr2531 Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 07:02 AM)MickMack Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:29 AM)Overrated Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:27 AM)dossbig Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:10 AM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  LOL! Typical Urb, don't take a knee.

He is a great coach but a classless person.

Product of UC. Funny to see UC's fans little brother syndrome toward OSU cloud their judgement of him. If he coached for any other school I imagine the tone of the conversation would be completely different.

Like when he coached a team down south and ran up the score on us? Sorry but this has nothing to do with where he coaches.

He didn't run the score up on us. They essentially took the entire 4th quarter off and still scored 51 on us. Our defense was bad.

Florida was still playing their starters in the fourth quarter. Maybe they brought in the reserves to take a knee to end the game but that is it. I remember Tebow throwing a few bombs late in the game and their starting running back scored a rushing TD with 7:30 left in the game (per Wiki). I remember Urban was quoted as saying he kept the starters in because he knew how explosvie UC's offense was.

(01-13-2015 08:44 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  I have no idea how they sit that kid at QB next year. Reminds me a little of Big Ben. Elusive and really hard to bring down. And strong armed. Rich get richer.

Hell, he could go into the draft. Wouldn't be a bad year to do something crazy, as there's a lack of quality QB prospects.

Remember, this is a guy who said:

(01-13-2015 08:58 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 08:09 AM)qsilvr2531 Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 07:02 AM)MickMack Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:29 AM)Overrated Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:27 AM)dossbig Wrote:  He is a great coach but a classless person.

Product of UC. Funny to see UC's fans little brother syndrome toward OSU cloud their judgement of him. If he coached for any other school I imagine the tone of the conversation would be completely different.

Like when he coached a team down south and ran up the score on us? Sorry but this has nothing to do with where he coaches.

He didn't run the score up on us. They essentially took the entire 4th quarter off and still scored 51 on us. Our defense was bad.

Florida was still playing their starters in the fourth quarter. Maybe they brought in the reserves to take a knee to end the game but that is it. I remember Tebow throwing a few bombs late in the game and their starting running back scored a rushing TD with 7:30 left in the game (per Wiki). I remember Urban was quoted as saying he kept the starters in because he knew how explosvie UC's offense was.

I'm not sure Rainey was their starting RB. They split carries between three guys that year.

Tebow was out after Florida's 2nd possession in the 4th quarter (Florida only got three possessions in the 4th and one started in the 3rd quarter). Florida was not playing their first string defense throughout the 4th quarter either.

Yeah, he could have pulled Tebow one possession earlier. At most they ran up the score 7 points. If that's the complaint it seems pretty minor to me.

(01-13-2015 07:50 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I will start off by saying I was impressed with O$U's ability to keep winning despite losing their 1st and 2nd string qb's. I think some congrats are in order for that. BUT.....

I saw Urban Meyer after the game say something like, "We weren't supposed to do this this year.". Why? The team is LOADED with four and five star players top to bottom, they have the best coaches money can buy, the best facilities, the best everything. Yeah, they lost two qb's but their 3rd stringer would have started for many many other college teams, and I mean in the P5. So I disagree with Meyer...they should have done this. To act like they were some cindarella story is comical.

How do UC fans get lucky enough to be sandwiched in between O$U football and UK hoops? Is there are worse location in the nation in regards to dbag fans in a tight radius?

Urban is saying that because the team is still young. They might be 4 and 5 star studs, but they started/played a lot of freshmen and sophomores this year. They will be even better next year after the players have another year into the system.

I said this a couple times now, but this was OSU's most talented team since their 1996 team (ie: Orlando Pace, Shawn Springs, Andy Katzenmoyer, David Boston, Antonine Winfield, etc.). Tressel was able to win a NC and had a impressive tenure in Columbus, but he never amassed the pure talent that John Cooper and now Urban Meyer did. OSU can get whatever talent they want because of their history, their $$$, their support and just completely ridiculous nice athletic facilities.

(01-13-2015 09:00 AM)Coopdaddy67 Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 08:44 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  I have no idea how they sit that kid at QB next year. Reminds me a little of Big Ben. Elusive and really hard to bring down. And strong armed. Rich get richer.

Hell, he could go into the draft. Wouldn't be a bad year to do something crazy, as there's a lack of quality QB prospects.

Remember, this is a guy who said:

Stop it! I'm getting all choked up. This is what big time college athletics is all about. Is this a great country or what?

(01-13-2015 07:50 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I will start off by saying I was impressed with O$U's ability to keep winning despite losing their 1st and 2nd string qb's. I think some congrats are in order for that. BUT.....

I saw Urban Meyer after the game say something like, "We weren't supposed to do this this year.". Why? The team is LOADED with four and five star players top to bottom, they have the best coaches money can buy, the best facilities, the best everything. Yeah, they lost two qb's but their 3rd stringer would have started for many many other college teams, and I mean in the P5. So I disagree with Meyer...they should have done this. To act like they were some cindarella story is comical.

How do UC fans get lucky enough to be sandwiched in between O$U football and UK hoops? Is there are worse location in the nation in regards to dbag fans in a tight radius?

Great point. The Bearcats have really excelled in recent years but having UK and OSU both within 100 miles makes the climb seem even more daunting. As Bohn was alleged to have said by a poster here recently, it is partly on us as fans to help build our program, share good reports on the Bearcats and help take the program to the next level.

(01-13-2015 08:44 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  I have no idea how they sit that kid at QB next year. Reminds me a little of Big Ben. Elusive and really hard to bring down. And strong armed. Rich get richer.

An impressive, but very short resume of only three games. He could also be the next Jamarcus Russell.

Hard to convince fans you're big time when your flagship station is running commercials congratulating the Buckeyes. You think if UC won a national championship that Columbus stations would be running promos for us? Not a chance.

(01-13-2015 08:44 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  I have no idea how they sit that kid at QB next year. Reminds me a little of Big Ben. Elusive and really hard to bring down. And strong armed. Rich get richer.

Rath, I've thought of Big Ben too watching him these 3 games.

Big arm. Tough to bring down.

No stage or prime time seems to big for him either.

Bengals? Bengals?

Interesting to see talk of him potentially being able to come out?...hmmm.

(01-13-2015 09:41 AM)50Cent Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 08:44 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  I have no idea how they sit that kid at QB next year. Reminds me a little of Big Ben. Elusive and really hard to bring down. And strong armed. Rich get richer.

Rath, I've thought of Big Ben too watching him these 3 games.

Big arm. Tough to bring down.

No stage or prime time seems to big for him either.

Bengals? Bengals?

Interesting to see talk of him potentially being able to come out?...hmmm.

Kid has a cannon and is very accurate. I'd draft him at 53.