Columbus, OH -- For the second year in a row, the Ohio State buckeyes just missed a trip to the College Football Playoff. 

And while many weren't surprised after several close calls and a glaring mid season loss, in the end they came out on top as the Big Ten Champs. 

Head Coach Urban Meyer saying in press conference after the news was announced "I actually thought we were in last year. I didn't really think we were in this year...I didn't...but I hoped. I really thought we were gonna go to the playoff last year. This year just when I saw Oklahoma win over a very good team I just thought that's gonna be hard to jump em."

A one loss Big 12 Champion getting in over a one loss Big 10 Champion is a tough pill to swallow but it's manageable. In the committee's eyes the bucks loss to Purdue trumped the Sooners loss to Texas which they later redeemed. 

But Ohio State coming in 6th behind a Georgia team that lost to LSU by 20 points and lost in the SEC Championship to Alabama is a bit harder to grasp. 

"It was a little surprising, a little disappointing because we were expecting to be in that playoff run and being 6th too after a two loss team. But at the end of the day it is what it is...We play Washington in Pasadena in California and I've never been to California before so I'm excited." said junior defensive tackle Dre'mont Jones Sunday. 

After winning the Big 10 Championship and getting a free trip to Cali, who wouldn't be excited? But there are some questions left lingering in the midst of an overall successful season as well as regret that one big loss can carry so much weight.

Jones commented on the loss saying, "I mean it's hard...You feel like there should be a reward. But at the end of the day you have to live with the results. We did mess up at the mid point of the year...That's our fault."

But this class of buckeyes can look at the weeks ahead through rose colored glasses as they'll join the ranks of some of the greats come January 1st, something Coach Meyer said he has dreamt about since he was a kid. 

And while this team won't get a shot at a National Championship Title, the adversity they overcame this year along with a 12-1 season will certainly go down in the history books, and if that's not enough they won't have to look far for a reminder.

"They're gonna get a big ol' ring. Terry McLaurin is the ring chairman and he's already told me he's gonna make it as big as they possibly can. I'd rather it be smaller but it's gonna be a big one and I'll make sure they enjoy it..."