How Do You Like Them Apples?

The Ohio State University,
led by Urban Meyer,
takes the national championship.

The most remarkable thing about this team is that it arrived seemingly a year ahead of schedule, full of talented sophomores 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 spurs debate online and through talk radio. Saban’s four national titles (three at 'Bama, one at LSU) still trumps Meyer by one.

However, these Buckeyes showed Meyer at his best, recruiting and then meshing talent into a cohesive unit, developing players to maximize their ability and finally instilling them with confidence and motivating them to victory.

How bout that Big 10 again?

A combination of old-school, smash-mouth strength and modern spread principles made the Buckeyes offense a nightmare to prepare against. The defense was both physical and fluid.

And the team just doesn’t rattle, overcoming an early season loss to Virginia Tech and running off 13 consecutive victories to give the Big Ten much-needed national credibility.

"The chase is complete," Meyer said. "These guys accepted their final mission and did it. ...This is a heck of a football team in scarlet and gray and I want to celebrate with the guys I love."

Been Down Harder Roads...

He left coaching for a year to concentrate on his health and spend more time with his family. He returned, in part, because the possibilities at Ohio State were too great. He vowed to bring an SEC mentality to the Big Ten, stepping up recruiting and competitiveness.

Boom.  He Got the Job Done.
Early, Even...

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We in the Mighty Midwest Salute You!
*particularly those who have lived in Southern regions during years of SEC dominance (and arrogance).  We Shall Overcome Today.

~ 1990 Northwestern University graduate.
The Medill School of Journalism.

("That's all right.  That's ok...
Y'all be working for us some day!" )