Ohio State entered the weekend as the No. 2 team in the College Football Playoff rankings, but there wasn’t anything they could do to improve their standing because they did not have a game. Instead, they had to wait and see what developed with the other games that were being played.
After all the highly-ranked teams took care of business and won their conference championship games (e.g. Clemson, Washington), and Penn State beat Wisconsin, Ohio State was left concerned about whether they would be included in the playoff. Urban Meyer says the waiting period was anxiety-inducing.
“I found out today when they flashed our sign on ESPN. … A lot of anxiety, a lot of hope,” Meyer said of his thoughts on the experience, via Cleveland.com. “I think we certainly are one of the best teams in the country, but I think there’s some great teams out there.”
Meyer then noted how the Big Ten was widely ridiculed only a few years ago for being so far below the rest of the top conferences in college football, but is now viewed as the toughest conference in the country. The reputation was well-earned this year, as the Big Ten placed four teams in the top eight of the CFP rankings.
Most figured the 1-loss Buckeyes would make the playoff even though there was no guarantee they would do so. They did get moved down a spot. And the day really turned out to be one full of good news for Meyer, as he also had this happen in the morning.
