COLUMBUS, Ohio — The path to a national championship has never been more grueling in college football.

With the expanded playoff format, a Big Ten team must now win 16 games to go undefeated. As we watch Ohio State systematically dismantle opponents while maintaining a ruthless internal standard, a tantalizing question emerges: Could the Buckeyes become college football’s first-ever undefeated team in the 12-team playoff era?

“I looked up every undefeated team since the BCS started in 1998,” Stephen Means explained on a recent Buckeye Talk podcast. “Ohio State in 2002 is the first ever 14-0 team in college football history... In 2018, we have a new most wins in a single season: Clemson goes 15-0... Do we think we ever see 16-0?”

The historical progression is clear: from 13-0 champ

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