The calculus of being an Ohio State fan has ALWAYS been to beat That Team Up North. As I watched the game tonight with my father-in-law -- a UM booster and pure-bred Michigan Man -- I realized that perhaps we need to recalibrate.

We spoke about how there are teams -- the Woody and Bo (and Harbaugh) teams -- who are built to win in cold midwest Novembers.

And then there are teams who are built to win national championships. 

This team, built by Ryan Day, was built to win a national championship. 

There is a reason why it has been 80 (EIGHTY) years since the Big Ten has won consecutive National Championships . . . Our conference has the toxic trait of beating each other into a bloody pulp spread across the frozen tundra of middle America each and every November. It's ugly. It's raw. It's midwest football. If you've been a part of an Ohio high school playoff run, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's tough stuff. 

But maybe tonight's win is for the John Coopers.

Maybe tonight's win is for the Cris Carters, David Bostons, Terry Glenns, Orlando Paces, Eddie Georges, and CJ Strouds . . . 

These were guys who, because of Michigan, didn't get to hoist THE trophy. But here we are. Losing to THAT TEAM and then getting a chance to bring it home with a legendary run to the National Championship. 

This win changes everything. 

The 12+ team playoff changes everything. 

It's a new era. 

This is the Ryan Day Era. 

It matters to beat That Team the last weekend in November. 

But it also matters to be the best football team in the country. 

That's what we are. 

Go Buckeyes.