Why Ohio State is the poster child for what the new College Football Playoff represents

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jack Sawyer ran from a postgame interview when he heard the opening notes of “Carmen Ohio” coming from the Ohio State band. The local product didn’t want to miss a second of the postgame tradition. Emeka Egbuka gazed at the Ohio Stadium seats as he slowly turned in a circle. The senior receiver who always took his role in stride amid a collection of spectacular talent at the position wanted to take it all in one final time. Donovan Jackson had his arms around fellow offensive linemen as they posed for a photo with Will Howard. The once-highly-rated offensive tackle wanted to be part of a captured moment with those who helped him keep the quarterback upright despite brutal injury luck in the trenches. Those were among the late-night moments inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday as members of the Buckeyes’ senior class celebrated a College Football Playoff first-round win against Tennessee. A group once ranked among the best in the storied program’s history that hasn’t achieved many of its goal — capped by an ugly postgame scene following a Nov. 30 loss against Michigan — got a second chance to leave its home field on a better note. They took advantage, dominating the Vols en route to a 28-point victory. The first step in rewriting, or at least improving, a legacy was complete. “It means everything to me,” Sawyer said. “When we saw we got another home game against a team like that coming in here, I knew it was going to be awesome.” Ohio State’s seniors nearly left on an ugly note Ohio State coach Ryan Day establishes the program’s standard with three goals each year: Beat Michigan, win the Big Ten and claim a national title. When the 2021 recruiting class arrived, it was supposed to start a run of consistently reaching those accomplishments. So far, the Buckeyes’ senior class is 0-for-11 and the lasting memory was lined up to be an ugly one. Before Sawyer was running to sing with teammates on Saturday, the final image of him at Ohio Stadium was one of anger and disappointment. Ohio State was a heavy favorite against Michigan this year, suggesting a three-game skid in the rivalry would finally end. Instead, the Wolverines pulled off the upset and tried planting a flag at midfield. It led to Sawyer and many of his teammates taking offense, sparking fights that saw law enforcement get involved. Despite a stellar outing from Sawyer, including a spectacular interception, that was going to be the lasting image. “I could’ve had a million sacks, but we lost the game,” Sawyer said Saturday. “That’s all that matters to me. Everything (about) the way the game ended motivated us to come into this week like this.” The new College Football Playoff allows narratives to change The Michigan loss would’ve been it for players such as Egbuka, Sawyer and Jackson last year. At 10-2, Ohio State’s season would’ve ended in a underwhelming bowl game after immense expectations. The new 12-team College Football Playoff has brought change, allowing additional opportunities to shift narratives. Perhaps no group in the country could benefit more than Ohio State’s seniors. “I think it’s awesome,” Sawyer said. “The 12-team playoff, I think it’s great. It gives teams a chance that you wouldn’t have got a chance in years previous.” There’s a cliché in baseball when a hitter is going through a slump. If they’re hitless in 11 consecutive at-bats, you tell yourself that they’re due. Statistically, there’s no such thing. You’re likelihood to get a hit in that 12th at-bat is the same as any other, but the belief still exists that the longer the drought continues, the sooner it is to end. Ohio State’s seniors are on at-bat No. 12: Winning a national title. Maybe the win vs. Tennessee proved they’re due to change how they’re remembered. “It is a new season,” Sawyer said. “It’s a new season every week. It’s win-or-go-home. It’s the NFL playoffs now. That’s been our mindset.”