[MOD Edit: Closing for the staff thread.]
Today, ESPN ranked the previous 21 College Football Champions (20 years, as 2003 yielded 2 champions). The list surprised me from the start, as 2005 Texas was ranked #1. Ohio State's 2014 team came in at #14 on the list:
The College Football Playoff arrived in 2014 to determine an undisputed champion. Ohio State left no doubt as to which team deserved that distinction. Seemingly derailed twice -- by a Week 2 home loss to unheralded Virginia Tech and then by a knee injury to starting quarterback J.T. Barrett -- Ohio State staged an incredible run to claim its first national title in 12 seasons. A roster filled with All-America candidates and future first-round draft picks overcame the loss of Barrett, as backup Cardale Jones dazzled in relief. Ohio State crushed Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten title game, then rode running back Ezekiel Elliottto wins over Alabama and Oregon in the playoff. Unanimous All-America selection Joey Bosa anchored the defense along with linebacker Darron Lee and a playmaking secondary featuring cornerback Doran Grant and safeties Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell. Tom Herman's offense scored 42 points or more in 11 games and reached 50 points six times. -- Adam Rittenberg
The most interesting part however, is that OSU was involved with each of the 3 "worst champions". 2007 LSU came in at #19, 2006 Florida at #20, and our beloved 2002 Buckeyes at #21.
While it is hard to argue too much about the positioning, due to close call after close call, I do think it is important to note how, even to this day, underrated that Buckeye squad was. No they didn't make it look pretty, but the team was littered with future NFL talent.
No one would label the 2002 Buckeyes dominant, despite five wins by 24 points or more and a defense that allowed only 64 points in the second half all season. Ohio State's signature moment before the famous pass interference call in the title game was a fourth-down touchdown pass from Craig Krenzel to Michael Jenkins that gave the team a 10-6 win over a 4-5 Purdue team. Holy Buckeye, indeed. The Purdue win kicked off a November of escapes for Jim Tressel's team. Ohio State beat unranked Illinois in overtime, then outlasted archrival Michigan 14-9 as running back Maurice Clarett returned from injury and Krenzel led a fourth-quarter touchdown drive. The defense had stars such as safety Mike Doss, lineman Will Smith and Chris Gamble, who played cornerback and receiver. Clarett, a true freshman, became the face of the offense. This was a team that simply knew how to win, style points be damned. -- Rittenberg
Other Notables:
2001 Miami at #3 - Was fully expecting them to be #1. Instead they fall behind previously mentioned 2005 Texas and 2008 Florida.
2010 Auburn at #15 - Really seems a little low for a team that went 14-0 during the heyday of the SEC.
