INDIANAPOLIS — The excuses and the sidedoors were prepared, the reasons ready to explain the end of an undefeated Ohio State season, and the logical explanations lined up for why the Buckeyes were still headed to the College Football Playoff. Reasons: Quarterback Justin Fields was wearing a bulky left knee brace. Maybe the Buckeyes were tired after consecutive wins over highly-ranked rivals Penn State and Michigan. Ohio State had already beaten Wisconsin six weeks ago, and now had to try to do it again. Explanations: Even with a loss and as a non-champion, the Buckeyes were one of the best four teams in the country. Winning by double-digits every week, they’d built up equity with the playoff committee all season. How would putting a two-loss team in the playoff ahead of the Buckeyes make sense? If the Buckeyes wanted them Saturday, they were there. Sometimes we like to throw around…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football decided a Big Ten Championship mattered, even if this win cost the Buckeyes a playoff seed
