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1. The sun did rise in Eugene on Tuesday, as much as it ever does during an Oregon winter, but it shed a harsh light on the performance of the Ducks on Monday night. Here are the numbers that leapt off the stat sheet at me on the morning after. Ohio State held the ball for 13:08 of the third quarter. We all know that Oregon rolls its eyes at time of possession. But that’s predicated on the Ducks being able to score quickly. At 22:31, the Ducks came in 4:06 under their average. Oregon converted 2-of-12 third downs, well below their 52 percent average. And they committed 10 penalties, two more than average.

2. Kevin Steele has a habit of working for successful coaches. Among his bosses in a 35-year coaching career have been Tom Osborne, Bobby Bowden and Nick Saban, and, as of Tuesday, Les Miles. The first two are in the Hall of Fame. The last two will be. Miles hired Steele as LSU's defensive coordinator. There’s a bit of a musical chairs game among defensive coordinators in the SEC. Steele replaces John Chavis, who went to Texas A&M. Fired Florida head coach Will Muschamp will run Auburn’s D. And now Steele is in Baton Rouge. There won’t be many secrets, will there?

3. My reaction to Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones saying he is not ready for the NFL, and to Dak Prescott deciding to return to Mississippi State for his fifth year is pretty much the same: This is news? Of course they should return. It is a good sign in the sense that maybe their decision is a sign of normalcy and common sense returning to the business of underclassmen coming out. The NFL and prominent college coaches have set out to arrest the number of declarations. Maybe the message is getting through.

The 2014 season is over, and we at the ACC blog are already looking forward to next season. This past season, the Atlantic Division was Florida State and everyone else, while the Coastal wasn't secure for Georgia Tech until the next-to-last week of the regular season. Who are the favorites to meet in 2015 ACC championship? Let's find out.

Adelson: While it is true the Tigers are losing the heart of their No. 1-ranked defense, the motto for Clemson headed into 2015 is pretty simple: In Deshaun Watson we trust. Now, there should be an asterisk attached to that motto because we don't know whether he can play a full season just yet. But if he can, that Clemson offense could be an unstoppable force when you look at all the skill players returning to complement the young QB. Look at the college football landscape today. Teams can win championships with a far superior offense. Banking on that to be the case for Clemson in 2015.

Fortuna: Clemson returns arguably the league's best player at quarterback, along with a stout running back in Wayne Gallman and a dynamic one-two punch at receiver in Artavis Scott and Mike Williams. Sure, the Tigers need to replace key pieces from the nation's top-ranked defense, but there is no shortage of young talent ready to take another step, from Shaq Lawson on the line, to Ben Boulware at linebacker, to Mackensie Alexander in the secondary. Florida State has recruited so well under Jimbo Fisher that the Seminoles are capable of reloading, but the uncertainty at quarterback -- not to mention the "embrace the hate" mantra that they seemingly relied on so often in 2014 -- makes them the hunter, not the hunted, in 2015.

Hale: Perhaps I'm overestimating the impact losing Jameis Winston and Rashad Greene, Mario Edwards and P.J. Williams will have on Florida State in 2015, and perhaps I'm underestimating how tough it will be to replace all those departing seniors from Clemson's top-ranked defense. But the thing I can't move past is Deshaun Watson. He was so clearly a perfect fit for Clemson's offense when healthy in 2014, and while those injuries were costly, perhaps he's gotten the worst of the bad luck out of the way early. Moreover, so many talented young players stepped up on offense around him, too — from Mike Williams to Artavis Scott to Wayne Gallman. And while there's rebuilding to do defensively, there are still stars like Mackensie Alexander and Shaq Lawson to pick up the slack, and Brent Venables clearly knows what he's doing.

Shanker: With Bryce Petty, Jameis Winston and likely Marcus Mariota off to the NFL, they will bestow the preseason Heisman hype on a new name this offseason. How about Deshaun Watson, guys? Maybe it seems premature considering he threw only 137 passes as a true freshman, but look at what he accomplished with such a small sample size. He threw 14 touchdowns to just two interceptions and had an efficiency rating of 188.6, which is more than four points better than Mariota's. Watson is the reason the Tigers should be the favorite in the ACC Atlantic. There are other offensive weapons to complement Watson, and defensively, while the Tigers could take a step back, Brent Venables is among the best coordinators in the country and only Florida State has recruited better among ACC teams. The schedule offers some relief, too, as FSU and Georgia Tech both travel to Clemson.

Adelson: Count me among the many to have learned a lesson in 2014. I will never count Georgia Tech out again. Well, not for 2015 anyway. With Justin Thomas back, Georgia Tech should be considered the favorites to win the crazy Coastal. Forget about who is gone. Yes it will hurt to lose Synjyn Days, Zach Laskey, Shaq Mason and DeAndre Smelter. But the key to the triple-option show is the quarterback, and the Jackets will be in good hands as long as Thomas is taking snaps behind center. Go back and watch the Orange Bowl against Mississippi State if you don't believe me.

Fortuna: Georgia Tech should enter 2015 as the closest thing to a favorite this division has seen since Virginia Tech's run through 2012. But the Yellow Jackets have thrived on being the underdog, and Justin Thomas won't be sneaking up on anyone anymore after the way he finished 2014. Enter the Hokies, a ridiculously young team that was ravaged by injuries in 2014, a season that saw them notch the ACC's best nonconference win, a 14-point victory at Ohio State. Seven starters are back on another strong defense. Luther Maddy and Brandon Facyson at full-strength add another dynamic to the unit, too. Virtually all of the offensive production returns, as 26 of the Hokies' 36 touchdowns in 2014 came from freshmen. And quarterback Michael Brewer will have more than just a summer to take over the offense. If Virginia Tech can stay healthy and avoid turnovers, Frank Beamer could find redemption in 2015.

Hale: Much like with Clemson in the Atlantic, this pick revolves greatly around the quarterback. Justin Thomas is a difference-maker, and he's the perfect QB to run Paul Johnson's offense. He helped direct one of the most potent offensive attacks in the country in 2014, and now he's got a year of experience as the starter under his belt and Johnson is bringing in his best recruiting class in years to help supplement the roster. As always, the defense needs to do its part, but the progress that unit made throughout the season offers plenty of encouragement for 2015, too.

Shanker: The Yellow Jackets nearly won the ACC this past season before falling just short in the championship game to Florida State. The Jackets have the underrated Justin Thomas at quarterback, and there might not be a better option quarterback in the country. Although the Yellow Jackets don't throw much, Paul Johnson has opened up the aerial playbook with Thomas. He's an asset to Johnson's offense. Defensively, the Jackets are not going to shut teams down, but they improved in the second half of the season. Florida State rotates onto the Jackets' schedule this season, but even a two-loss Tech should find itself atop the chaotic Coastal.

So last night didn't really go down the way that Oregon and the rest of the Pac-12 would've hoped. It would've been the Ducks' first national title and that would've brought a lot -- whether folks want to admit that or not -- to the conference heading into next season.

It is your humble Pac-12 Blog's job to bring you the news when it comes to this conference, but at the same time -- since we are so humble -- we're willing to admit that crowd sourcing intellectual, thoughtful and creative mediums like Twitter are also valuable ways to bring you the Pac-12 news. So, last night's game will be no different.

We bring you the good, the bad and the ugly from last night's game via the twitter sphere.

THE GOOD

It started off well enough. First, Ohio forgot how to spell it's four-letter long name, Puddles made a grand entrance (sans motorcycle, though) and there were some other good pregame omens.

#puddles "@PaulMyerberg: Due to a malfunction, the men's bathroom is covered in water. I take that as a positive omen for the Ducks."

— Holly Anderson (@HollyAnderson) January 13, 2015

Once the game finally started, the Ducks got off to a fast start.

First six plays for Oregon, I never counted more than 23 Mississippi's in between.

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 13, 2015

And want to know who had the best reaction to Oregon's opening drive? You guessed it Oregon State head ... errr, wait ... Nebraska head coach Mike Riley. If this video doesn't scream "Thank the Heavens I don't have to play that team every single year" anymore, then I don't know what does. Side note, Mike, you now have to play the team that won. Good luck with that.

Mike Riley reacts to Oregon's touchdown. #Huskers https://t.co/cIj5cUtbQp

— Erin Sorensen (@erinsorensen) January 13, 2015

And past that, there was plenty of good in the way of Oregon fumble recoveries (not necessarily doing anything with those fumble recoveries, but, you know, getting them was good). Specifically, the one that stands out would be the Cardale Jones fumble/turnover/Jameis Winston impression. Twitter had its fun with that...

maybe the football is too heavy

— Caitlin Kelly (@atotalmonet) January 13, 2015

do the jameis pic.twitter.com/ygP6zg7Cvs

— martin rickman (@martinrickman) January 13, 2015

Dear Cardale: I feel your pain. Sincerely, Jameis.

— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) January 13, 2015

I'm kinda afraid if Buckeyes win, they'll drop the trophy during the presentation.

— Bob Valvano (@espnVshow) January 13, 2015

.@NCAA HOW IS IT FAIR THAT OREGON HAS INVISIBLE PASS RUSHERS

— Fake Bo Pelini (@FauxPelini) January 13, 2015

THE BAD

OK, so this is the bad based off mostly just one play. And yes, we're looking at you Byron Marshall. Don't you remember the South Dakota State game? How you went 52 yards and then dropped the ball right before you entered the end zone? Don't you remember how silly that was and you said you'd learn from it?

And then there was the Utah game, Byron, remember that one? When the Utes were up 7-0 and Kaelin Clay managed to get behind your secondary, find grass and then ... drop the ball at the one-yard line.



Look familiar?



Even Clay was watching last night as you made that silly, silly mistake.

NO BYRON NO!!!!

— Kaelin Clay (@CALiboy4) January 13, 2015

This is bad, Byron. You need to learn from your mistakes.

Also, it really doesn't look all that cool to drop the ball like that while running in a touchdown. You're a creative kid. I'm sure there are a million different ways to enter the end zone WITH the ball while still looking cool. I'd recommend picking one of those from here on out.

THE UGLY

Marshall's touchdown brought the Ducks within four but soon enough the Buckeyes would begin to roll and it'd get ugly. Very ugly. The following tweets are presented without comment.

pic.twitter.com/UChJDuw1lz

— Matt Brown (@MattSBN) January 13, 2015

LeBron brings his 1st title to Ohio.

— Bobby Rosinski (@BobbyRosinski) January 13, 2015

What could of been... #Depressed

A photo posted by Jake Riesterer (@jakeriesterer_tao) on Jan 12, 2015 at 9:29pm PST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- When Minnesota's Jerry Kill, Maryland's Randy Edsall, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald and Purdue's Darrell Hazell exited the head coaches' convention meeting Tuesday morning, they didn't spell out O-H-I-O.

But all four Big Ten coaches were pleased that Ohio State won the national championship on Monday night, ending the league's 12-year drought since last reaching college football's pinnacle. Unlike many fans, the coaches don't get wrapped up in the endless debate about conference strength, but they don't tune it out, either. They can't.

"It's great for the Big Ten," Kill told ESPN.com. "There's no question about that."

Added Edsall: "It probably eliminates that negative talk about the Big Ten and all those things. It's nice to have one of your conference members win the national championship."

The Big Ten's hubris will never match that of the SEC, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. As one Big Ten assistant joked Monday afternoon about the title game, "You hold your nose and root for Ohio State."

But conference pride exists, and to have the nation's best team shines a positive light on the Big Ten, which has been bashed for the better part of the past decade.

"To play 15 games and to be an on-the-field champion, just ecstatic for those guys, first and foremost," Fitzgerald said of Ohio State. "It also shows that anybody can win, to go play it on the field. You have to go play a competitive schedule but most importantly, you have to win. Everybody's in control of that."

Ohio State's championship isn't just a point of pride for other Big Ten teams, but an inspiration. An Indiana assistant told ESPN.com on Monday that he couldn't believe how much Ohio State had improved late in the season. (Indiana held a third-quarter lead in Ohio Stadium on Nov. 22.)

As Hazell watched the championship game in his hotel room, his thoughts turned to his own team, which was coming off another subpar season.

"It makes you hungry," said Hazell, an Ohio State assistant from 2004-10. "I took it all in. It was a quiet moment, but I sat up in the bed and I watched it by myself and thought, 'These are the things we have to do to move our program forward.'"

Northwestern has endured consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2001-02, and Fitzgerald hoped that Wildcats players watched the title game and saw how Ohio State, written off in the playoff race early this season, had earned its way onto the sport's biggest stage.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has made "The Chase" a theme for his players as they pursue goals. But after Monday night, the Buckeyes have become the hunted.

"Obviously, they're the team to chase," Hazell said. "It's a credit to their staff, their recruiting department. They're out there now. They are really out there."

The rest of the Big Ten is trying to catch Ohio State. And for the first time since 2003, so is the rest of the country.

Brian Bennett contributed to this report.

It's easy to get caught up in all that ails college sports. There's plenty of things to get down about -- this we know.

But we also know the positive impact it has on people as well. We know it can pull our heart strings just as much as it disheartens us.

Which brings us to the story of 15-year-old Jacob Jarvis, a rabid Buckeyes fan from Ohio who just so happens to have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder that results in muscle degeneration and unfortunately has no cure as of now. The average life expectancy is around 25 years old.

So every good moment is special for the Jarvis family. But some -- well, some are more special than others. They are the genuine moments that move even those of us who have never met Jacob.

One of those occurred Monday night, as the group that has adopted Jacob as one of their own since the summer of 2013 -- coach Urban Meyer calls him a "legit member of the team" -- won the national championship with their teenage fan right by their side in Texas, soaking it all in on the confetti-filled field and in the raucous locker room.

Why We Love Sports Today: Buckeyes fan Jacob Jarvis, 15-year-old with muscular dystrophy, holds trophy after OSU win. pic.twitter.com/RCRDc0vSfK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 13, 2015

For more on Jacob's story, here's Tom Rinaldi's moving feature on his life and his adoption by the Buckeyes. Trust us, it is a must-watch and well worth your five minutes.

» More Final 2014 Power Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

» More Final 2014 Power Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

» More Final 2014 Power Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

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» More Final 2014 Power Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

 

» More Final 2014 Power Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A dynasty may have been born while the confetti was raining down on Urban Meyer.

The trophy his Ohio State Buckeyes were chasing had been tracked down. Now they might just run away and hide with it.

If the Buckeyes truly were a year ahead of schedule not only to compete for a crown but to claim it in such impressive fashion Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T, that doesn't exactly bode well for any team looking to knock them off their newfound perch.

With so many young players returning, one of the most decorated coaches in the history of the game on the sideline and no signs of a recruiting pipeline loaded with talent slowing down, the 42-20 victory over No. 2 Oregon might be just the beginning.

"The chase is complete," Meyer said. "It's done. It's over. They accepted their final mission, their final assignment, their final directive, and it was a job well done.

"We're going to enjoy this one, but they're going to get a new mission assignment here pretty soon: Let's get back here again next year."

Defending a title is never easy, and the rush to proclaim a new superpower typically fails more often than not. But with all the pieces Meyer has returning to accept the next mission, it's hard not to look at the Buckeyes and see a team built for the future.

There are going to be notable losses, particularly on defense where both the leadership and production of defensive tackle Michael Bennett, linebacker Curtis Grant and cornerback Doran Grant will be missed. There's also going to be an opening on the offensive line with Darryl Baldwin graduating, and big-play wideout Devin Smith is out of eligibility as well. But that's pretty much all the Buckeyes will be worried about replacing, and they are locked and loaded with the majority of their standout contributors returning and another influx of talent on the way.

After his epic postseason tear, Ezekiel Elliott appears to be getting better heading into his junior season, and he will have Curtis Samuel as his sidekick in the backfield again.

The linchpins of the dramatic improvement in the secondary, safeties Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell, will both be back for another season as starters. Joey Bosa, already one of the most feared pass-rushers in the nation, will spend at least another year with the Buckeyes, and defensive tackle Adolphus Washington has indicated he will stick around as well.

There will be four experienced starters on the offensive line. Despite losing Smith, Ohio State will have six of its top seven options in terms of receptions back in the fold. Even in spots where the Buckeyes are losing people, like at middle linebacker or offensive coordinator with Tom Herman heading to take over Houston, there are ready-made replacements who have proved capable of handling a larger role such as rising sophomore Raekwon McMillan or co-coordinator Ed Warinner, a criminally undervalued assistant who was integral in the title run this season.

That doesn't even dive into the most important position on the field, where the Buckeyes still expect to have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal. Assuming nobody changes his mind and decides to transfer or turn pro, Ohio State could have a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in Braxton Miller, the reigning Big Ten Quarterback of the Year in J.T. Barrett and yet another option who came off the bench to win all three postseason games in Cardale Jones.

That potential battle for the starting job behind center is almost absurd given the accolades and talent each of those guys brings to the table, but it also gives an indication of just how much depth and ability the Buckeyes have been stockpiling as Meyer eyed a run in 2015. Just because they reached the summit a bit earlier than expected, that doesn't mean the directive moving forward will change.

"We've just got to stay a hungry team," Elliott said. "We're losing some great seniors, but we have a lot of great young players that will step up, and this year was just a great year to learn a lot of things.

"I think we'll be the same team next year. As long as we stay humble, we grind hard in the offseason, don't let our heads get too big, I think we'll be here next year."

The difference is that the Buckeyes are no longer chasing something they don't have. The rest of the country is coming after them and that shiny trophy, but a budding dynasty isn't going to make it easy to catch them.

OREGON, Ohio -- A thousand miles north of where college football’s first playoff finale was about to play out, fireworks echoed off an icy bay on the western edge of Lake Erie. On the shore, in the top left corner of Ohio, a group of hearty souls huddled against the cold to watch, standing where they usually do when preparing for the hunt.

From somewhere in the scarlet-swaddled group, a voice spoke up for the out-of-towner’s sake: "Right past where they’re setting those off is where we set up. The ducks come flying right overhead, and we stand there and freakin' slay ‘em."

Welcome to Oregon, Ohio Buckeyes on the Bay, City of Duck Hunters. On Monday night, about 100 citizens from the 20,000-person town congregated at Mike Bihn's clubhouse on the edge of the water, just down the road from the Bay Shore Supper Club. They were there to celebrate the end of an unexpectedly busy week for the normally Rockwellian town.

The front yard was dotted with duck decoys. An inflatable Brutus Buckeye peeked out from a blind in a boat parked in the driveway. Inside, at the mercy of a space heater, some of the only smiling Oregonians in America watched as Ohio State slayed away, taking down the No. 2 Ducks 42-20 for the first national championship in college football's playoff era.

Bihn lives in the house where he grew up and owns an excavation company in town with his boy. At kickoff he stood next to Mike Seferian, who owns an auto repair business with his boy. Seferian, who is also in his second term as mayor, took over the shop from his father, who opened the place in 1946. Neither of the men can remember a week quite like this one in Oregon.

A few years ago, there was some action in town and a few reporters called when a bill passed for a $1 billion upgrade to the local power plants. “For a town our size, that’s a big deal,” Seferian said.

“It didn’t get one-tenth of the coverage that this week did.”

The fuss started last Monday when the mayor drew up a proclamation to amend his Oregon’s name so as to leave no confusion about where its college football allegiances lie. For the next week, it declared, this was Oregon, Ohio Buckeyes on the Bay, City of Duck Hunters.

It's not the first time sports threatened to change a town’s name. Strasburg, Virginia, flirted with the idea of becoming Stephen Strasburg, Virginia, in 2010 in honor of the pitching phenom's debut with the Washington Nationals. The people of Ismay, Montana, voted unanimously (21-0) in 1993 to change its name to Joe for the former Super Bowl champ. But that was when “going viral” still meant catching the flu.

Seferian said he counted 140 radio stations and newspapers that wanted interviews this week. Calls poured in from everywhere – New York to California, Dallas to Quebec. The New York Times, NPR and Time.com all picked up the story.

The buzz continued to build and local businesses jumped on board. The apparel shop Mr. Emblem -- another family business that outfits most of the local high schools with their letter jackets and spirit gear -- started pumping out T-shirts and sweatshirts with the temporary town name. A few hundred orders piled up, coming from as far away as Florida and Texas. Owner Pat Slygh and her crew were still pressing logos onto shirts in the back of their store as Ohio State players suited up for the game.

Voicemails piled up for Mark Rabbitt and Matt Squibb, too. The practical jokers and teachers from nearby Whitmer High School, who met each other while growing up in Oregon, Ohio, were the genesis of all this commotion. They started an online petition to drop the town name and change it to something Buckeye-themed a few days after Ohio State toppled Alabama to set up a meeting with the Ducks.

Squibb published the petition and named Rabbitt the movement’s official spokesman without letting him know. When local papers started to call him, Rabbitt played along long enough to figure out what his partner in crime had done.

“I thought we’d get three or four signatures. All my friends would sign it,” Squibb said. “Maybe my mom, so that would us give us five.”

Social media pushed the petition over 2,000 signatures in three days. The mayor didn’t want to completely drop Oregon from the name – the town was around before the state, after all – so he came up with the "Buckeyes on the Bay, City of Duck Hunters" compromise.

The two catalysts were nowhere to be found during Monday night’s celebration, happy to step aside and let others revel in the town’s newfound fame. But they say they wouldn’t mind something for the effort.

“We’re still looking for our delivery of a big plate of buckeyes,” Rabbit said. “I thought the city could’ve cut a ribbon. That would’ve been nice.”

“Maybe a golden spade for a groundbreaking,” Squibb added. “A key to the city, at least.”

“It could be a fake key. It doesn’t matter,” Rabbitt said.

Squibb and Rabbitt want you to know they have never harmed any waterfowl. Rabbitt isn’t even an Ohio State fan. Oregon is closer to Michigan’s campus than to Columbus, and during a normal fall weekend, the cheering section at local bars splits pretty evenly between Ohio State and Michigan.

On Monday night, though, when the speakers in the clubhouse on the shore blared Queen as the final seconds of Ohio State's upset victory ticked away, everybody was dancing. On Tuesday morning, the mayor would be up bright and early to open the auto shop. Squibb would be teaching art students nonplussed with his brush with fame. Rabbitt would be down the hall, back to rooting for the Wolverines. The town of Oregon would just be Oregon again.

But on Monday night, they were all Duck hunters, enjoying a good kill.

TCU wasn’t playing Monday night in the first College Football Playoff Championship presented by AT&T. But strategically tucked along the front row of AT&T Stadium, one intrepid trio of Horned Frogs fans held up a sign the entire second half that read, “Winner Plays TCU.”

Possibly next year.

Very possibly next year.

RT @CFBHeather: Love it pic.twitter.com/b2fmdictYO

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) January 13, 2015

The Horned Frogs went 12-1 this past season, yet got left out of the playoff party after falling from third to sixth in the only playoff selection committee ballot that actually counted.

But fresh off a 42-3 shellacking of Ole Miss in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and armed with 10 returning offensive starters, the Horned Frogs debuted at No. 1 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2015.

Best of luck to the playoff committee on denying the Frogs again.

“People are going to say you are [No. 1], but now you have to go prove you are,” TCU coach Gary Patterson told ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach. “You've got to go prove it."

The Frogs are equipped to do just that in what figures to be the most anticipated season in TCU history. And coming off arguably the greatest one-year turnaround by a single player in Big 12 history, Trevone Boykin is the biggest reason for that anticipation.

After finishing 2013 as a wide receiver, Boykin proved to be a natural at quarterback in the Doug Meacham/Sonny Cumbie no-huddle spread attack. He threw for 3,901 yards and totaled 41 touchdowns, and he carved up virtually every defense he faced, including the vaunted Ole Miss “Landsharks” in the Peach Bowl. And after finishing fourth in the Heisman voting, Boykin could be even more dynamic in 2015 with a year of experience operating the spread attack under his belt.

“As far as the playoff situation, it would have been a blessing for our team to have been in it,” Boykin said. “Hopefully next year we can be one of those top four teams.”

But if the Horned Frogs get there, it won’t be because of Boykin alone. TCU basically brings back its entire receiving corps, too, including the terrifying triplet of Josh Doctson, Kolby Listenbee and Deante’ Gray, who combined for three touchdown receptions and a touchdown pass in the Peach Bowl. Boykin will have Aaron Green behind him at running back again, too. After a concussion sidelined B.J. Catalon for the final five games, the running game didn't miss a beat with Green, who finished within a hair of passing the 1,000-yard rushing barrier. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry as the starter.

Throw in an offensive line that returns four starters after paving the way for the nation’s second-highest scoring attack, and the Horned Frogs have no holes on paper offensively headed into 2015.

“We're going to have to be a better football team next year to be able to replace what we did this year, and they're going to have to decide if they want to do that,” Patterson said. “There's a lot of good leaders on this football team, and I think there's an opportunity for them to get that done.”

Defensively, Patterson has some retooling to do to meet that opportunity. Linebackers Paul Dawson and Marcus Mallet are gone after anchoring the defense this past season. All-Big 12 safeties Sam Carter and Chris Hackett and defensive tackle Chucky Hunter are departing, too.

Patterson’s defenses, however, have a long, strong track record of playing competency, finishing first, second and first in the Big 12 in total defense over three years in the league. TCU also could have the inside track to landing 5-star tackle Daylon Mack, who has the talent to make an immediate impact along the defensive line.

Of course, unlike this past year, the Horned Frogs will firmly be on the selection committee’s radar to begin the season, too. Still, TCU will have to earn its way into the playoff. The Horned Frogs have to travel to Minnesota (No. 24 in the Way-Too-Early Top 25) early in the year. Road tilts to Oklahoma State and Oklahoma loom, as well.

But this time around, the Horned Frogs get Baylor, which opened at No. 3 in the Way-Too-Early poll, in Fort Worth.

Win that Black Friday showdown, and TCU could be in the playoff instead of watching it.

While proving itself worthy of this No. 1 ranking along the way.

The first College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T went off with a bang. Ohio State beat Oregon 42-20 and captured the attention of recruits across the country.

Recruiting targets for both Oregon and Ohio State took to social media to express their feelings. Here’s a look at recruit reactions from both sides of the championship game.

OREGON

While Oregon took its lumps on the field against Ohio State, a terrific season and simply earning a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship earned the Ducks plenty of respect from their commitments and recruits.

Offensive line commitments Calvin Throckmorton and Brady Aiello both took to Twitter to state their excitement in joining the Oregon program later this year.

Can't wait to be a part of the Oregon Football program next year <È>

— Calvin Throckmorton (@BigCal50) January 13, 2015

Nothing to be ashamed of and so much to be proud of. Hell of a season for the Ducks and let's get after it next season! Just wait on it...

— Brady Aiello (@bradybedhead) January 13, 2015

Fellow offensive line commit Shane Lemieux took a moment to comment on quarterback Marcus Mariota. Lemieux likely won't be able to suit up with Mariota next year in Eugene, as he is likely to make himself available for the upcoming NFL draft.

Pleasure watching you Marcus.

— Shane Lemieux (@ShaneLemieux) January 13, 2015

Speaking of quarterbacks, Oregon's 2015 commitment at the position, Travis Waller, was feeling upbeat before the game.

#GoDucks

— ¡Travis Waller¡ (@traviswaller11) January 13, 2015

Afterward, Ohio State commit Justin Hilliard made sure Waller remembered the bet they made last week, where the loser must wear the school colors of the winner.

"@JHilliard47: @traviswaller11 see you in that scarlet tomorrow bro=== = = " a deal is a deal=*

— ¡Travis Waller¡ (@traviswaller11) January 13, 2015

Not surprisingly, Waller took the bet in stride and fell in line with much of the other Oregon commitments, looking forward to getting to work on next season.

S/O to the Oregon Ducks on such a great season!! Come back next year even stronger!!

— ¡Travis Waller¡ (@traviswaller11) January 13, 2015

Waller could eventually be joined by Oregon's 2016 quarterback commitment, Seth Green, who also was looking forward following the game.

God bless and go ducks #WTD

— Seth Green7ã (@seth_mgreen) January 13, 2015

Oregon safety commit P.J. Locke is already looking forward to the second College Football Playoff.

Rematch next year =¯=¯=¯=¯

— James PJ Locke III#4 (@PjLocke4) January 13, 2015

One of Oregon's top targets on the board for the 2015 class is No. 7 overall prospect Iman Marshall, who apparently was a fan of the uniforms the Ducks sported for the game.

Oregon Unis =%

— Biggie (@iman_marshall8) January 13, 2015

Marshall hasn't given many hints as to where he's headed next year, but the Ducks are one of his finalists and their ability to pitch him the fact that they just played in the final game of the season could resonate through signing day.

Wherever I go we contending for A Natty..... That's Where Greatness Is Made

— Biggie (@iman_marshall8) January 13, 2015

Oregon has done very well with skill-position prospects in the past few years and would appear to be the favorites for several standouts down the road. ESPN Junior 300 wide receiver Dylan Crawford and 2017 star receiver Tyjon Lindsey both let it be known who they were pulling for during the game.

Let's get it ducks =š=›=š=›=š

— Dylan Kekoa Crawford (@yung_sweetness) January 13, 2015

We're still in this. I'll never lose faith in my DUCKS MAN...=›=š #WINTHEDAY

— T-wayne Lindsey (@tyjonlindsey) January 13, 2015

There might be some disappointment from Oregon fans and within the Oregon program in the immediate aftermath of the loss. And while there's no denying that Ohio State will receive a much deserved recruiting boost from the big win, the Ducks will still be able to generate their share of positive momentum during the march toward signing day.

OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes rolled in the championship game in what is sure to bring more positive momentum to recruiting for Ohio State. In fact, the coaching staff even picked up a few commitments before and after the game.

The biggest commitment came from ESPN Junior 300 running back Kareem Walker, ranked No. 5 overall in the 2016 class. Walker committed to Ohio State before the game, and tweeted at halftime that he was committed to the Buckeyes.

Proud to announce that I will be furthering my education and football career at THE Ohio State University. #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/xLnEwFJJak

— Al=ightyReem (@_KareemWalker) January 13, 2015

If that weren't enough, Ohio State also picked up a commitment from 2017 Florida prospects Shaun Wade and Bruce Judson.

Committed to Ohio State!!! Truly Blessed!!! #BuckeyeNation

— shaun wade (@shaunwade2017) January 12, 2015

Walker hails from New Jersey and is part of a big crop of elite prospects in the area. His commitment to Ohio State could have an impact a few other East Coast prospects, including ESPN Junior 300 quarterback Jarrett Guarantano.

Congrats to my bro @_KareemWalker on his commitment <~ Since Fr year, we've said we were going to the same college =@ pic.twitter.com/AiwaIznqBC

— Jarrett Guarantano (@Guarantano18) January 13, 2015

Reaction to the game as coming in via social media at an astounding rate. Commits and recruits were all watching Ohio State's impressive performance. The current commitments took the opportunity to show the pride in their decisions, as Branden Bowen tweeted a picture of himself throwing up the Block O.

Proud to be a Buckeye Commit!!!!!!!!! National Champions!!!! #GOBUCKS <~<Æ=� >pic.twitter.com/uz6ZibUQty

— Branden Bowen (@BrandenBowen) January 13, 2015

Some of the commitments, including five-star Torrance Gibson, took some time to congratulate Oregon on its effort in the game. Gibson is headed to Ohio State to play quarterback, so it was only natural he recognized Oregon's Mariota after the game.

Marcus Mariota is still a GREAT QB! No doubt about that! =¯ #Respect

— Torrance Gibson (@quick_tg6) January 13, 2015

Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones and his crazy journey to his place in the history books didn't go unnoticed, either. ESPN Junior 300 defensive back Robbie Robinson tweeted how impressive Jones has been.

Cardale Jones went from 3rd string & unknown , to on the 2015 or 2016 NFL draft board in 3 games ...

— Robbie Robinson (@RobinsonEra_2) January 13, 2015

By the end of the night, recruits from across the country had seen a spectacular performance with a third-string quarterback, new starters on offense and a youthful team. There is a lot to be excited about for the future on the field and on the recruiting trail. ESPN Junior 300 prospect Brad Hawkins capped the night with a tip of the cap, and like most other recruits, will now be thinking of Ohio State as national champions again.

Ball game OSU wins =%

— stay tuned (@bradhawkins9) January 13, 2015