COLUMBUS: To heck with style points.
So what if the passing game has struggled the past two weeks.
Forget about the fact the Buckeyes are not playing in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Ohio State has turned the College Football Playoff selection process on its ear.
It might not be the way the system was designed. But after No. 2 OSU’s instant classic, a 30-27 double-overtime victory over No. 3 Michigan on Saturday in Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes showed they are one of the nation’s top four teams and deserve the chance to play for the national title.
By virtue of its 45-12 victory over Michigan State hours later, No. 7 Penn State will represent the Big Ten East next Saturday, facing No. 5 Wisconsin for the league championship in Lucas Oil Stadium.
But for the College Football Playoff committee, that shouldn’t matter. Three of its four selection criteria, which includes championships won, are stated for tie-breaking use.
For Ohio State, not going to Indianapolis is a blessing in disguise, the Buckeyes spared possible injuries in another physical fight with the Badgers. It gives OSU quarterback J.T. Barrett time to rediscover his accuracy and develop some trust in his receivers.
Better than most
Even though the Buckeyes (11-1) suffered a 24-21 loss at Penn State on Oct. 22, they are a better team than the Nittany Lions (10-2), who lost 49-10 at Michigan and 42-39 at unranked Pitt. CFP chairman Kirby Hocutt said as much last Tuesday after the rankings were released, admitting the selection committee did not see a small margin of separation between OSU and Penn State. After OSU’s win over No. 3 Michigan, the margin should be even wider now.
Along with the Wolverines, the Buckeyes have defeated No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 16 Nebraska, the Badgers and Sooners on the road. OSU should need nothing more for its College Football Playoff resume.
But if it does, the committee can consider what happened against the Wolverines, who boast one of the best defenses in the nation.
OSU rallied from a 17-7 third-quarter deficit when its offense had disappeared, when everyone but those on the home sideline thought the game was lost. Barrett was sacked eight times and the Wolverines added 13 tackles for losses. OSU kicker Tyler Durbin missed field goals of 37 and 21 yards and OSU had a failed fake punt.
OSU rode its outstanding defense, which had two interceptions and a fumble recovery at the OSU 2. Safety Malik Hooker set an OSU record with his third interception returned for a touchdown of the season as the Buckeyes ran their total in that category to seven, which leads the nation. Michigan rushed 43 times for 91 yards.
Defensive performance should count in the committee’s eyes, especially if there is any Ohio State vs. Penn State debate. Michigan came in averaging 451.1 yards per game and OSU held it 140 yards under that, even with two overtimes.
After the chaos cleared as fans stormed the field Saturday, the Buckeyes tried to make their case to the playoff committee.
Reaction from Buckeyes
OSU coach Urban Meyer was little help, offering, “I don’t know, I don’t know. I think we’re one of the top teams in the country.” Defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said merely, “Yep,” when asked if he thought if OSU was one of the four best. But their players took up the cause.
“I believe we belong in there,” junior right guard Billy Price said. “The conference championship does hold a lot of weight, I believe, on the college football committee and the playoff committee in their decisions. But our record in reputable wins and who we played in top 25 matchups and who’s still within the top 25 stands for itself. We beat a very good Wisconsin team, an Oklahoma team, The Team Up North, Nebraska. Those are very quality wins.
“Yes, there might have been some struggles with certain teams, but a victory is a victory. You are not given wins. I think our body of work shows we belong in this playoff picture.”
Senior center Pat Elflein wanted to play in Indianapolis, but still thinks the Buckeyes are deserving of the playoffs.
“I would like to play that game next week. Winning the Big Ten championship is part of our motto and what we want to do every year,” Elflein said. “If not, how can you keep us out? Our wins on the road against top-tier teams, you know.”
Junior defensive end Jalyn Holmes thought what had just transpired should factor in.
“This is one of the biggest Michigan-Ohio State games ever,” he said after the game went to overtime for the first time in its 113 meetings. “I feel like we did what we had to do, we did our part. Whatever happens, happens, but I think we’ll be in there.”
The College Football Playoff committee is not selecting the four best passing teams in the country or the four best offensive teams. It is selecting the four best teams. If a 4-1 record against the top 16 in its latest ranking is not enough, the spirit and toughness Ohio State showed Saturday should count for something.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.