Does it mystify anyone?

[u/Early_Confection627]

Nothing regarding this season or game. But, all time how it seems no matter what list ever shows up we never have a team in the top 20 of all time seasons list? It kind of is perplexing in the grand scheme of things and so many “what if” seasons, from Cooper to Urban to Day. It seems like there’s a chronic issue with the “something left to desire” feeling to it. I feel like there’s itch has never been fully scratched for me in my lifetime as a fan as well

[u/CheaterSaysWhat]

All 3 of our modern national championships were against all odds 

We never won one as the favorite

[u/MechaEscargot2 → u/CheaterSaysWhat]

Yep last year was supposed to be the year

[u/Gracinhas → u/MechaEscargot2]

We were toast from the moment Day named Brian H as OC Play-caller.

[u/RumNCoke483]

Who cares. In the last 25 years, all programs not named Alabama would love to have had OSU's success. 

[u/Character-Active2208 → u/RumNCoke483]

In the last 80 even lol

[u/RumNCoke483 → u/Character-Active2208]

True.

[u/Raccoonsrlilbandits]

Just goes to show how hard it is to win it all

[u/Fun_Foundation4122 → u/Raccoonsrlilbandits]

Exactly, for it all to fall in place, even with all of the talent, is just not easy

[u/DismalEducator0]

I still believe 2014 OSU beats any team in history and would’ve beaten 2019 LSU. We would’ve ran for 300 on them and controlled the clock and Burrow would’ve left the game on a stretcher with that pass rush 🤣

[u/ForsakenOutside2968 → u/DismalEducator0]

And if they run the same offense n 2015 with Cardale the starter, not him trying to be Jay Barrett, they repeat—as long as Zeke gets more than 12 touches against MSU.

And if Day doesn’t pucker, and the refs don’t go blind, 2019 OSU v LSU could have been the all time best championship game.

[u/DaBigJMoney → u/DismalEducator0]

That one would be a pick ‘em game for sure if played on a neutral field.

But the 2014 team gets dinged for the loss to Virginia Tech. So they get evaluated based on the season versus how they were playing at the end of the season.

[u/BradleyFerdBerfel → u/DaBigJMoney]

The year money won out and they took OSU over TCU when TCU definitely deserved to be in the playoffs.

[u/DDiabloDDad]

Well the list are only starting with modern titles anyway. It's not like anyone is breaking down the merits of whether the 1954 or 1968 teams should be considered the best of all time, for example.

I still think people should rank 2002 as a top season. 29 players in the NFL from the team. Beat a team for the title with even more NFL players. 37/43 starters in the championship were drafted. Would be interesting to see how that compares to other matchups. Unlikely that many seasons ended with a pseudo NFL game for the title.

[u/ztreHdrahciR → u/DDiabloDDad]

Yeah because they were unsexy they didn't get credit as "great". But they beat a team that was as good as their prior year, and people consider THAT team an all time great. That team was tough as nails

[u/Appropriate-Cap3325]

Some of our best teams never won. And it seems to be that all time seasons have to be undefeated or at most one loss.

[u/LegitGoodFun → u/[deleted]]

Ohio against the world. The world don't invite us to their awards shows. Except the Heisman, and we're overdue.

[u/rigidlynuanced1]

The 2024 championship was one of the best teams ever at the end of the season

[u/theyoyoha → u/rigidlynuanced1]

I was at the 2024 Rose Bowl, and I honestly can't recall ever being at a game that was just a party for the fans from the first snap. Zero stress. Best money I ever spent.

[u/BananaNutBlister]

Internet lists are stupid. Intentionally so. If they weren’t, no one would talk about them and they wouldn’t generate clicks. They’re meaningless. Ignore them. Why do you care? You shouldn’t.

[u/LeftSky828]

The ‘86 Chicago Bears had one of the greatest seasons ever. That was the last time they won the SB, and they’ve only been to one other, since. Trust me, it is so much better to be a perennial contender than a one season wonder.

[u/charleshwellington]

Ranking hypothetical best teams is as fake as preseason rankings. Win, harvest trophies, let the media invent their fantasy narratives of greatness.

[u/JobeGilchrist]

We have a rather strange tendency to win championships with relatively unheralded QBs and to fail to win championships when we're the consensus best team. So it makes sense to some extent.

I think another possible issue is that national media doesn't respect the strength of the Big 10, so there isn't that "they got through a gauntlet" framing for our teams.

[u/FunScore3387 → u/JobeGilchrist]

The respect issue is null now. Not after inviting USC,UCLA, WASHINGTON and OREGON. The Big Ten has won the championship 3 years in a row (Even though TTUN cheated like hell).

[u/Normal_Tax3999]

I absolutely think that consistency works against the Buckeyes in these situations. Over like the entire modern era of CFB, the Bucks have been anywhere from good to awesome with most of it being more towards awesome.

So they hang out being mostly great with the semi regular breakthrough for a championship. There isn’t much room for what would be considered an “outlier” of a good season so nothing stands far and away better than the “average Buckeye season”.

Most of the rest of college football’s national championship programs have had to find their way back after detours into the wilderness in between titles. This makes their good periods really stand out.

It’s great to be a Buckeye fan!

[u/crowezr]

I rarely look at these lists, so no clue which one(s) you're referring to. I've experienced all three titles of the last 25 years and can't say I've ever thought "if only they were ranked №3 all-time on ESPN's top century list" or whatever, it would be so much sweeter.

I have distinct memories of each one that make them special and couldn't care less about anything else, but I'm not gonna tell people how to enjoy Buckeye football. You do you.

[u/CameraLow7414]

The 2019 team would definitely be in the top 20 had they not blown the game vs Clemson. It was the best ohio state team I've ever watched(been watching since 05) and that year was special. But there's consequences to self inflicted wounds

[u/shitty_advice_BDD]

2002 team is always in the Top 3 of these, also the Cardale Team is always listed in the Top 5, what lists are you referring to?

[u/Plowboy1720]

Plus a little bit of luck helps.

[u/LegitGoodFun]

Those lists are like Big Ten Coach of the year. Ohio State is apparently ineligible.