Following Utah's victory over USC in the Pac-12 championship earlier this month, the Buckeyes rejoiced about the likelihood they'd get a chance to compete for a national championship after all.
Two days later, OSU was the final team selected into the four-team College Football Playoff, earning the Buckeyes the chance to face No. 1 Georgia on New Year's Eve.
For most players on the Buckeyes' roster, the matchup against the Bulldogs is just the next opponent on the schedule necessary to achieve their dream of playing for a title. For others, such as Georgia natives Steele Chambers and Jordan Hancock, the game represents an opportunity to play in their home state in addition to the already high stakes surrounding the contest.