Finishing any regular season ranked in the top four requires a combination of elite talent, strategic coaching, optimal results and dumb luck. In 2014, 2016 and 2019 the Buckeyes benefited from each of those things - but those campaigns also shared a critical handful of common elements:
- Swept the state of Michigan
- Undefeated in November
- B1G QB of the Year
- B1G Defensive Lineman of the Year
- Winning at least one game by exactly 59 points *record scratch*
It's true. All three times!
The Buckeyes got into the 2016 CFP without the benefit of a B1G Championship Game appearance, so Indy's absence in our critical handful isn't a surprise.