The Ohio State Buckeyes are your 2015 national champions, winning the inaugural College Football National Championship of the College Football Playoff era in a 42-20 whooping victory against the Oregon Ducks.
The Buckeyes dominated from start to finish. They had four turnovers in the game, but were still able to win by over three touchdowns.
The key to the win was obviously running back Ezekiel Elliott, who is, amazingly, only 19 years old and a sophomore. Elliott balled out, having 246 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He averaged nearly seven yards a carry.
Elliott added insult to injury by scoring this touchdown to close out the game with less than 30 seconds remaining:
https://vine.co/v/ODvOha5m9QK
28 seconds later, Ohio State has now won their eighth national championship:
https://vine.co/v/ODverhvlwID
The win further proves how great the College Football Playoff system is. OSU barely squeaked as the fourth seed, but shocked the nation. They are now national champions. Had this been the BCS, it would've been Alabama versus Florida State.
The Buckeyes were led by third-string backup quarterback Cardale Jones. Besides this mishap, he was solid going 16-of-23 for 242 yards with a touchdown and a pick. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Meanwhile for Oregon, Marcus Mariota did all that he can, but it wasn't enough. You can't blame this loss on him.
For his part, the Heisman trophy winner went 24-of-37 for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He had an interception, but it was a meaningless one on a heave for the last play of the game.
The Ducks led only once, and that was their opening drive touchdown. After that, Ohio State would go on to score 21 unanswered points. Followed by that, the Ducks would answer and trail by just one, 21-20, in the third.
Things fell downhill after that. The Ohio State offense was too much — Cardale and Zeke that is. The defense had no answer.
Speaking of Cardale Jones, what a journey it has been for him. These past three games might be the best stretch ever for a college football quarterback.
People are already talking about him going to the NFL, since he is eligible to do so. The fact that he can do that off a three-game sample is pretty crazy, but awesome at the same time.
And then when you add in this, it adds to the Cardale legacy:
https://twitter.com/FootBasketcom/status/554867470758993921
Ohio State enters next season with a solid quarterback problem. How do they deal with Braxton Miller, JT Barrett and Cardale Jones? It'll be interesting to see how they handle that.
As for now, they can celebrate being champions. Congrats to the Buckeyes!
