Greg McElroy: ‘Poetic justice’ Ohio State won first 12-team playoff

Greg McElroy believes the first ever 12-team, expanded College Football Playoff ending with Ohio State on top was the perfect way to introduce the new format.

During the latest episode of Always College Football with Greg McElroy, the ESPN analyst took some time to examine the Buckeyes’ run to ascending atop the college football world. When you think about all the heartbreak Ohio State experienced during the four-team CFP era, it only makes sense that they would usher in the 12-team bracket with a title.

“Ohio State is a worthy champion,” McElroy stated, following the Buckeyes’ victory. “I think it’s even more impressive to think what this team had to overcome, and to know that had the four-team Playoff been in place, they would not have made it. It is poetic justice that the 12-team Playoff came to existence this year.

“Think about how many times in the four-team Playoff era Ohio State was this close. I can think of 2015. If the 12-team Playoff era was in existence in 2015, tell me you would feel strongly picking against Ohio State, with how that team rounded into shape after the disappointing loss to Michigan State. What about in 2022, when they played a tremendous Georgia team toe-to-toe, had a chance to kick a field goal at the end to send themselves to the national championship. They missed that field goal. Georgia goes on to win 100-0 against TCU. If that field goal is true, Ohio State wins another national championship.

“I think about all the close calls Ohio State has had over the years, and how many times they were maybe the best team, but didn’t win the championship. This one felt really good, I think, for Ohio State fans, to get to the title, and to win the title the way they did.”

All told, it’s easy to see why McElroy believes Ohio State was the perfect champion for the 2024 campaign. It wasn’t always guaranteed, and some thought it wasn’t possible when they fell to Oregon in Eugene, narrowly escaped against foes like Nebraska, and of course, after suffering a demoralizing defeat to the Wolverines during the final week of the regular season.

In the end, all that mattered was what they did in the CFP. A dismantling of Tennessee. Revenge against the aforementioned Ducks at the Rose Bowl. Holding serve and sending the SEC home by defeating Texas. And finally, their win over Notre Dame, where they did just enough to avoid a colossal collapse.

Greg McElroy has a ton of respect for what Ohio State accomplished, and the rest of the college football world should, as well. The Buckeyes went on a run for the ages, and they’ll be hoping to replicate it next season.