Ezekiel Elliott carries Ohio State to College Football Playoff title in rout over Oregon

ARLINGTON, Texas – The promise of returning the Ohio State Buckeyes to national prominence was enough for Urban Meyer to end a brief coaching sabbatical back in 2011. Three seasons later, the job is done, although the program is just getting started. Ohio State won the inaugural college football playoff here Monday, defeating Oregon 42-20. View gallery.Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott (15) ran all over Oregon’s defense in the inaugural College Football Playoff title … The Buckeyes overcame four turnovers thanks to the power running of Ezekiel Elliott (36 carries, 246 yards, four touchdowns), the brilliant play of quarterback Cardale Jones (16-of-23 passing for 242 yards, a passing TD and a rushing TD), and a defense that swallowed up the vaunted Duck attack, forcing 6 punts. For Meyer, a 50-year-old native of Ashtabula, Ohio, this is his third national title, adding to his two at Florida (2006, 2008). He also posted non-championship undefeated seasons at Utah (2004) and Ohio State (2012). The most remarkable thing about this team is that it arrived seemingly a year ahead of schedule, full of talented sophomores that Meyer believed would form a title contender next season. OSU will certainly open the year at No. 1 in the polls and a favorite to repeat. The dominance of these Buckeyes (14-1) opens up the question whether Meyer is college football’s top coach, a title most often given to Alabama’s Nick Saban. It’s a subjective title that can own debates online and through talk radio…

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