DALLAS – In the days leading up to Monday, seemingly no one associated with the Ohio State football team except for legendary two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin uttered the word destiny.
Few other than Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and his right-hand man Mickey Marotti, assistant athletic director for football sports performance, raved about a special season Marotti saw coming in May.
Going into the inaugural College Football Playoff national championship game against No. 2 Oregon, the No. 4 Buckeyes have been workmanlike and focused, yet loose as well. Even when receiver Michael Thomas talked about the dreams he shared with quarterback Cardale Jones at Fork Union Military Academy, dreams like the one they will realize when they play in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, there was no bold prediction or guarantee.
Yet there was still a feeling that everything is coming together at the right time for Ohio State (13-1).
Coming together for the offensive line, which replaced four starters from 2013 and was embarrassed by its performance in a Sept. 6 loss to Virginia Tech.
Coming together for the sophomore class, led by running back Ezekiel Elliott, All-America defensive end Joey Bosa and safety Vonn Bell.
Coming together for an offense that could see speedy H-back Dontre Wilson return from injury against the Ducks (13-1).
Coming together for third-string quarterback Jones, who took over after J.T. Barrett fractured his ankle Nov. 29 and has gained new maturity since the Nov. 6 birth of his daughter, Chloe.