GLENDALE, Ariz. — For Ohio State, it wasn’t just the opening offensive drive that told the story of its 44-28 knockout of Notre Dame in Friday’s Fiesta Bowl, but rather the Buckeyes’ first four plays.
Eight-yard pass to Michael Thomas.
Ezekiel Elliott’s seven-yard rush.
Nine-yard pass to Braxton Miller, followed by the quarterback-turned-wideout’s 27-yard rush.
Covering 80 yards in nine plays and three minutes and one second, Ohio State struck first, jumping out to a 7-0 lead after Elliott’s two-yard touchdown.
Exhibition game? This was more like a NFL combine preview, with the Buckeyes showcasing their pro-ready potential from kickoff until the clock struck zeros. As soon as Ohio State began slicing through the Fighting Irish defense like a knife through butter, there wasn’t any question as to who the better team inside of University Phoenix Stadium was on New Year’s Day.
But for as sweet as the Buckeyes’ victory was, it also left the Scarlet and Gray faithful with a bitter question on their mind as the 2015 season officially came to a close: Was there a better college football team than Ohio State this season?
With the national title game still to be played and the Buckeyes’ season officially over, we’ll never know.
If the intent of the College Football Playoff selection committee was to pick the sport’s four best teams, then truth be told, the Buckeyes probably belonged in a semifinal matchup. Returning a combined 15 starters from last season’s…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Will Forever Think What Could Have Been for 2015 Season
