Though It Wasn’t the Greatest Ever, College Football’s Game of the Year Delivered
Last night’s clash between Ohio State and Penn State will live in the memories of college football fans for years to come. The stakes could not have been higher. A clash of two of the nation’s best teams for first place in their division and likely a spot in the top four of the season’s first College Football Playoff rankings. The stage was set for a college football classic, and this game delivered.
Down by 18 points and 15 points on separate occasions, Ohio State pulled off one of the most miraculous comebacks in college football history to beat Penn State 39–38 in the Horseshoe. On a night where it looked like everything that could go wrong for Ohio State did, and at the worst of times to boot, the Buckeyes’ offense caught fire in the fourth quarter. According to Fox Sports, J.T. Barrett completed his last 16 passes, including 13–13 and 3 touchdowns in the fourth quarter. With his team’s back against the wall when it mattered most, J.T. Barrett finally got his signature win and silenced his critics.
As I sat in my room last night watching the game, there were several occasions in the second half when I felt like the game was over. When J.T. Barrett fumbled on a handoff to J.K. Dobbins, it looked like the fat lady had finally begun to sing. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching Ohio State since Urban Meyer took over, it is to never count them out. That lesson has never been clearer than it is now.
Was this the greatest game ever? No. There were too many miscues, some questionable coaching decisions, and subpar officiating. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an instant classic. But now that it’s over, what happens to Penn State and Ohio State?
We would have to think Ohio State now controls its own destiny in terms of the College Football Playoff. And though Penn State lost, I wouldn’t close the door on their chances either. Penn State beat Ohio State last year, went on to win the Big Ten Championship, and was ultimately somehow left out. I find it unlikely that something like this happens again, but we can never say never when it comes to the College Football Playoff committee.
College Football’s game of the year left us with some questions regarding where teams will stand when the first rankings come out, and only time will tell how everything plays out. For now, let us just enjoy what was an epic night in college football.
