Grading the Bucks--CFP Championship: Oregon

Offense: B+
What a run (and we saw a lot of that in the championship game).  Ezekiel Elliot proved he was a grown a$$ man and took care of the completely overmatched Oregon defense.  While I think Zeke was the absolute key, it's hard to say he was the only key.  The O-line was fantastic, Cardale was a bulldozer and made a few key throws (great pass to Marshall over the middle), the WR did their job (nice hockey stop Thomas)...it was a complete domination of the offense....but.... I said before the game, turnovers will be key.  Luckily, they weren't because the Bucks couldn't hang on the ball.  That's really the only negative.  Beastly performance in which the buzzword of 'physicality' is actually apropos.

Defense: A-
With all those turnovers, the defense stepped up in a BIG way.  There was some nervousness after the first drive that seemed exceedingly easy for the Heisman winner.  After that, they did NOTHING.  The biggest detractor to the defense was the Buckeye offense who continually challenged the defense with giving the ball back.  They stepped up each and every time.  The biggest moment was after the invisible defender caused the Cardale fumble in the redzone.  Backed up with a four point lead, the Bucks became Bullets.  Eli Apple made (arguably) the play of the game to push the TE out of the endzone on 3rd and goal.  If Oregon takes the lead, momentum is huge, but this defense answered the Bell (see what I did there) time and time again.  Big 4th and goal stop, holding the Ducks to an atrocious 3rd down percentage by forcing them into 3rd and long; what a transition we've seen on this side of the ball since September.

Special Teams: B+
Eh....didn't really need these guys.  They did their job.  I love that we kicked it into the endzone on kick offs most of the time.  Can't really say much with the limited amount of kicks, but overall solid.

Coaching: A
Masterful.  This team was fired up and wasn't to be denied.  The decision to go for it on 4th and short on our side of the field was great.  I love the call in that situation.  Urban had his finger on the pulse of his team and went for the gold.  After the first drive or two, the gameplan was simplified to what worked...give it to Zeke.  They can't stop it.  I would have preferred the Buckeyes have gone for it on 4th late in the game, but the coaches pretty much knew the game was over at that point.  Let's be clear: the decision to go in the 3rd was the right decision regardless of the outcome.  I applaud the coaches for making the 'tough' decision.  You play to win the game.
Also, some are knocking Urban for scoring another TD at the end...come on.  This is Oregon, not the Little Sisters of the Poor.  Stop us or shut up.  If he ran a double pass, that's one thing.  Simple dive plays, that's football.

Overall: A+
National Champions.  Feels good.  Win this and it's an auto A+.  Fantastic year Bucks.  What a ride! Let's do it again next year!