INDIANAPOLIS – Ohio State safety Vonn Bell put it like this: “It feels like we’re on top of the world.”
On Sunday, though, the Buckeyes would settle for being viewed as the nation’s fourth-best college football team.
Although they spit-shined their resume with a 59-0 dismantling of Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, the Buckeyes need approval from the College Football Playoff selection committee, which will reveal its top 4 around 11:30 a.m. Chicago time on ESPN.
Ohio State entered the night No. 5 – and the four teams ahead all won. Florida State, as usual, did it in the least convincing fashion, but the Seminoles are the nation’s only undefeated team.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt,” Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said, “that we’re one of the top four teams in America.”
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One of the best? No doubt.
One of the four most deserving? That’s a tougher one for the committee.
“A tremendous football team,” Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen said. “They showed that.”
Said receiver Evan Spencer: “We’re a dangerous football team.”
Third-string quarterback Cardale Jones played lights-out, avoiding a single turnover while throwing for 257 yards and three scores.
Tailback Ezekiel Elliott outrushed soon-to-be-Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon, 220-76.
“We shut down a really talented running back,” defensive end Joey Bosa said. “We showed what we can do when we all come together.”
But was it enough?
“We just won 59-0 against one of the top teams in America,” Meyer said. “These kids are playing at an extremely high level.”
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein