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.
