Cardale Jones, the quarterback who led Ohio State to a national championship in 2014, recently stirred the college football world with a bold claim.
From Third-String To Spotlight: Cardale Jones’ Improbable Rise
Speaking on the latest episode of “THE SCRIPT,” a podcast hosted by former Ohio State players, Jones declared, “I would put this team up against any Ohio State team, and against any college football team EVER.”
He didn’t stop there, adding, “3 game in a row, we played against 3 Heisman trophy finalists and held them to their worst game.”
These statements have reignited debates about the legacy of that 2014 Buckeyes squad, a team that defied the odds to claim the first-ever College Football Playoff title.
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In 2014, he started the season as Ohio State’s third-string quarterback, behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Miller, a proven star, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury before the year began. Barrett stepped up, guiding the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record, only to break his ankle in the final regular-season game against Michigan.
Suddenly, Jones, who had thrown just 17 passes in his college career, was thrust into the starting role for the Big Ten Championship. His performance from that point forward turned a backup into a legend, giving weight to his recent comments.
The 2014 Ohio State roster was stacked with future NFL talent. Running back Ezekiel Elliott, defensive end Joey Bosa, wide receiver Michael Thomas, and offensive tackle Taylor Decker were among the standouts. Urban Meyer, one of college football’s elite coaches, led the team, supported by assistants like Tom Herman and Chris Ash.
Beyond the talent, though, this squad showed grit. Overcoming two season-ending quarterback injuries and proving doubters wrong as the No. 4 seed in the playoff cemented their reputation as a special group.
Shutting Down Wisconsin: Big Ten Championship Dominance
Jones’ first start came against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship on December 6, 2014. The Buckeyes delivered a 59-0 beatdown, the largest margin in the game’s history. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon, a Heisman finalist who averaged approximately 158.3 yards per game that season, managed only 76 yards on 26 carries.
Jones, meanwhile, completed 12 of 17 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns, earning MVP honors. This blowout silenced critics and punched Ohio State’s ticket to the playoff.
On Jan. 1, 2015, Ohio State met top-ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal. The Crimson Tide, favored to win it all, featured Heisman finalist Amari Cooper.
Down 21-6 early, the Buckeyes rallied with 28 unanswered points to take control. Cooper finished with nine catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns, a decent outing, but Ohio State’s offense overwhelmed Alabama. Elliott ran for 230 yards and two scores, while Jones threw for 243 yards and a touchdown in the 42-35 upset.
The national championship game on Jan. 12, 2015, pitted Ohio State against Oregon and Heisman winner Marcus Mariota. Oregon’s high-powered offense averaged 45.4 points per game, but the Buckeyes’ defense held them to 20. Mariota threw for 333 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, a solid stat line but not enough to keep pace.
Elliott erupted for 246 yards and four touchdowns, and Jones added 242 passing yards and a score. The 42-20 victory capped an unforgettable run and secured Ohio State’s eighth national title.
Evaluating Jones’ Bold Claim: Greatest Team in History?
Jones’ assertion that the 2014 Buckeyes could take on any team ever invites scrutiny. Their postseason dominance, overcoming adversity, and talent lend credibility to the claim. Facing three Heisman finalists, Gordon, Cooper, and Mariota, in consecutive games and winning convincingly is a rare feat.
Gordon’s 76 yards against Ohio State was his second-lowest total of the season, per ESPN stats. Cooper’s output, while productive, couldn’t stop the Buckeyes, and Mariota’s 20-point effort was Oregon’s third-lowest mark of 2014, per Sports Reference.
KEEP READING: ‘Everything He Did Had A Ripple Effect’ — Analyst Reveals Why Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs Is ‘Built Different’
These performances bolster Jones’ argument, though “worst game” might stretch the truth for Cooper and Mariota. Comparing this team to all-time greats, however, is tricky. The 2001 Miami Hurricanes boasted 17 future first-round NFL picks and an average margin of victory of 32.9 points.
The 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers went 12-0, outscoring foes by 38.6 points per game. Ohio State’s 2014 squad didn’t dominate regular-season opponents as thoroughly, but their playoff run against elite competition with a third-string quarterback sets them apart.
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